Fifty years after the production of Circular 10/65, which confirmed comprehensive education as the national policy for secondary education in England and Wales, it is possible to trace the idea of comprehensive education from the 1940s to the 1960s, to understand the position of the Labour Party in its development, and to assess the nature of the…

"History of Education" has published a steady stream of papers on the history of secondary education over the first 40 years of its existence. This corpus of research has been generated in the context of renewed interest in the history of secondary education that has been stimulated by developments in social and historical inquiry as…

This paper examines the connections between the school building programme in England and the raising of the school leaving age (ROSLA) from 14 to 15 in 1947 and then to 16 in 1972. These two major developments were intended to help to ensure the realisation of "secondary education for all" in the postwar period. The combination led in…

This paper explores the contribution of James Bryce as an Assistant Commissioner to the Taunton Commission from 1865 to 1868. It highlights his criticisms of the English middle class and of middle-class education represented in the endowed grammar schools of Lancashire, England. These criticisms were based partly on finely detailed observation of…

Brian Simon's "Studies in the History of Education", 1780-1870, published in 1960, set out to counter nearly all work previously produced on the history of education in Britain in this period, and to direct the field towards a new course. It provided a Marxist perspective that drew upon Simon's involvement in campaigns for educational…

This paper, based on the author's presidential address to the History of Education Society in November 2006, explores aspects of continuity and change over the past 40 years with particular reference to educational reform and the development of the History of Education Society itself. It assesses the significance of the work of the playwright Alan…

This paper investigates the history of the education of the middle classes with particular reference to the historical experience of the English grammar schools between 1868 and 1944. It indicates a general neglect of the history of middle-class education and an opportunity to develop this in greater depth in terms of the range and diversity of…

Discusses the premise of theory, methods, and social science in relation to the history of education. States the articles in this issue demonstrate there are still current active explorations of educational history being conducted. (KDR)

Discusses three potential problems in the application of virtual history: (1) extrapolation; (2) critical analysis; and (3) the danger of using it as wishful thinking. Offers comparative history as a possible alternative way to overcome virtual history outcomes. (KDR)

Reflects on the progress made in the history of education due to the decades of research as have been addressed in past issues of this journal. Focuses on the five articles in this issue as being helpful in providing an interesting range and a continuing development in education of history. (KDR)

Discusses three key benefits of using a comparative approach to the history of education: (1) establish detailed insight into comparisons and contrasts; (2) enhance understanding of influences and interaction; and (3) generate or inform overarching theory and general patterns. (KDR)

Maintains that surprisingly little attention has been given to secondary modern schools by historians. Maintains that a new approach is needed to examine the impact of social differentiation in English and Welsh schools. Asserts that a more current history of secondary schools will provide new insights into British social history. (CFR)

Provides an introduction to the articles presented in this theme issue. Explains the focus surrounds the study of the relationship of educational issues from different geographical educational history. Compares similarities and contrasts differences. (KDR)