The story of secondary modern schools
Were they much maligned or a monstrous mistake? My book answers that question based on facts, not prejudice
It’s an alternative narrative to the establishment’s simplistic notion that these schools were a scar on the country’s educational history.
You will discover that the accepted stories about the selective education system, the workings of the 11+ and comprehensive schools are a simplistic distortion of the truth. Worse still, the mistakes the education establishment made in the past still determine how children are educated today.
Timeline
The story of secondary moderns starts during WWI and ends in 2004
From the midst of one world war to another (1916 – 1943)
1916 – 1943
From the midst of one world war to another
1921
School leaving age raised so children leave when they are 14.
1926
The Hadow Report outlines the future shape of secondary schools.
1932
Improvements to schools halted by the ‘Great Depression’.
1939
Evacuation of children from major cities.
1940
Bombing of the major cities wreaks havoc on children’s education.
1943
The Norwood Report defines the secondary modern child.
From their birth to their death (1944 – 1974)
1944 – 1974
Secondary moderns from birth to death
1944
Butler’s Education Act puts the LEAs and teachers in control.
1960
The Beloe Report recommends a new exam for the ‘less academic child’.
1961
Majority of children educated in secondary mods.
1965
Labour commits to ‘go comprehensive’, ending selection.
1972
School leaving age raised so children leave when they are 16.
1974
Secondary moderns in terminal decline.
Troubled times for comprehensives (1975 – 2004)
1975 – 2004
Troubled times for comprehensives
1976
Callaghan’s speech highlights the problems besieging schools.
1977
Publication of the final Black Paper, criticising ‘progressive’ schooling.
1981
Sir Keith Joseph creates the foundations for the Tory Party’s education policy.
1987
‘There is going to be a revolution in the running of the schools.’
1992
Ofsted established to inspect and report on schools.
1997
Blair becomes PM and radically changes Labour’s education policies.
2004
Labour announces plans for city academies.
More Details
Video, podcast and supporting documents
Podcast
The author discussing the book