Contemporary Conservative education policy may seem to be hastily formulated and executed, but, it is arguably founded on deeply held ideological beliefs. By briefly examining the history of the British Conservative party and its complex formation and disparate ideological traditions, including the broader conservative diaspora, four key Conservative educational beliefs--namely: support for traditional practices; anti-intellectualism; economic liberalism and the power of the market; and support for inequalities of outcome--beliefs are discussed. These are then examined against contemporary policy initiatives such as practice-based teacher training, the marketisation of schools and curriculum reform.