Secondary Education for All cannot be considered independently from the life and career of its author, R. H. Tawney. Written in 1922 in time for the general election, it is the Labour party's first major statement on adolescent education. It reflects the historical insights and ardent political convictions of an economic historian turned socialist, and helped to bring the issue of education reform from the periphery of politics to a more central position. Through the introduction of free secondary education for all, Tawney hoped to rid education of class inequality over a generation. This is a classic and influential text which acted as a springboard for educational advance which reflects the growing educational and political debate of 1920s Britain.

'A secondary education for all'? reveals the lively history of how successive state and federal governments, the Department of Education, students, teachers and school communities have participated in creating and maintaining our government secondary schools. A social history, it shows that the provision of a 'comprehensive' secondary education for all is dependent on the resources made available either through government funding or community support. It reflects the changing governments' policies and the needs of each student generation. Bringing together official documents, publications and photographs, presenting and analysing the challenges that have confronted politicians, bureaucrats, teachers and wider school communities, it explores the ongoing challenge to provide a comprehensive, quality education for all. Local school histories and educational commentary enriches that story combining scholarship, reader engagement and a degree of humour and cynicism to present the serious responsibility of educational provision, the idiosyncrasies that have worked in tandem and records the efforts of a bureaucracy, its schools and their communities to achieve the best for every student.

The Education Act of 1944 launched an unprecedented experiment in the history of education in the UK. This book is a brief survey of the routes by which compulsory free secondary education was arrived at, as well as an examination of the position in 1949 and suggestions for the future.

Is there life after death for secondary education? This book focuses upon the quality of learning. ‘Reform’, so called, too often begins with qualifications, examinations, institutional provision, paths of progression. All those are very important, but their value lies in the support they give to learners and their learning in its different forms. One needs to start with the aims of education and then with what it means to learn (practically, theoretically, morally) and with the very many different needs of the learners. That is what this book aims to do. In so doing, it will be both philosophical in analysis and empirical in example. So much is happening ‘from down below’ that goes unrecognised by policy makers. But innovations too often get hampered by government interventions, by a bureaucratic mentality and by failure to spread good practice. The general argument of the book, therefore, will be illustrated throughout with detailed references to practical developments in schools, colleges, the third sector, youth work, independent training providers and professional bodies – across several countries. The book builds on Education for All, which was based on 14-19 research into secondary education, this book transcends the particularities of England and Wales and digs more deeply into those issues which are at the heart of educational controversy, policy and practices and which survive the transience of political change and controversy. The issues (the aims of education, standards of performance, the consequent vision of learning, the role of teachers, progression from school to higher or further education and into employment, the provision of such education and training and the control of education) are by no means confined to the UK, or to this day and age. Pring identifies similar problems in other countries such as the USA, Germany and France – and indeed in the Greece of Plato and Aristotle and offers solutions with a comparative perspective. It is a critical time. Old patterns of education and its provision are less and less suitable for facing the twenty-first century. The patterns and modes of communication have changed radically in a few years and those changes are quickening in pace. The economic context has been transformed, affecting the skills and knowledge needed for employment. The social world of young people raises fresh demands, hopes and fears. A global recession has affected young people disproportionately making quality of life and self-fulfilment ever more difficult to attain. In addressing ‘learning’ and the ‘learners’ first and foremost, the book will argue for a wider vision of learning and a more varied pattern of provision. Old structures must give way to new.

The collection's focus is on girls' secondary education, and hence the gendered cultural expectations of the middle classes and upper classes, will provide the dominant narrative, given the relatively recent democratization of European educational systems.

More than ever, secondary curriculum requires greater flexibility and adaptability so young people learn the relevant knowledge and key skills they need for the evolving world of training and employment. This practical guide, both radical and progressive, makes a compelling argument for a secondary curriculum that addresses the needs and aspirations of all students. A balanced approach will help reform students' attitudes and behaviours and re-ignite their curiosity and motivation for learning. Secondary Curriculum Transformed proposes an ambitious GCSE five-year journey inclusive of academic, creative and technical subjects, including T-Levels and mandatory key skills. To equip young people with this critical knowledge and key skills, the book: transforms the 11-19 curriculum so it does not disadvantage, marginalise or exclude young people; showcases excellent practice case studies from British and international contexts; provides curriculum models which schools can adapt to their own context; signposts educational research and listens to the 'student voice'; transforming them into leaders of their learning. Offering a comprehensive model for leaders and teachers to put the evidence into practice, this is essential reading for all education professionals. There are also additional templates, PowerPoints, useful links and other resources which can be downloaded from www.routledge.com/9780367900878. Offering a comprehensive model for leaders and teachers to put the evidence into practice, this is essential reading for all education professionals.