This paper first draws on the political philosophy of R.H. Tawney to outline some universal principles for the provision of socially just education. It then moves onto a more pragmatic approach, analysing where the injustices lie in contemporary British education and outlining policies and practices that are socially just, not in an instrumental…

This paper was born of the authors' discussions about the imbalance between critique and constructive thinking within the sociology of education, and work on education policy. They were concerned that their research--and the body of work to which their research contributes--is becoming increasingly irrelevant to policy and practice. For British…

The Coalition came to power in 2010 with a radical, controversial vision for education and set about transforming the UK landscape. The Secretary of State described how, in future, autonomous schools and colleges would compete with one another to raise standards, high performers would expand and others improve or disappear. His aim is for children…

Mass higher education, a characteristic recently unique to the United States of America, is now almost universal in scope in developed countries. This article contrasts the relative ease with which American higher education accommodated the rapid expansion of its student base with the difficulties that the United Kingdom, more particularly…

The guide outlines the structure of the educational systems of member countries in the European Community. Chapters cover the following countries: Belgium, Denmark, West Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Usually covered for each country's educational system are general principles; preschool,…

Staff development in higher education is discussed in these papers in terms of its definitions, scope, and future activities. Most of the papers were originally prepared for the working party on staff development at the Fourth International Conference on Higher Education, University of Lancaster (August 29-September 1, 1978). The first three…