Lessons from History

In this, the second of a two part series on pupil rebellions in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Daisy and Elizabeth discuss how teachers, parents and the general public reacted to school boy riots, social contagion and what finally brought the phenomenon to a close.

Daisy and Elizabeth discuss a spate of pupil rebellions which rocked elite public schools in the late 18th century. In this, the first of two parts, they discuss some of the more dramatic events involving home-made bombs, firearms, soldiers and the reading of the Riot Act.

Daisy and Elizabeth talk to Michael Barber about the 1944 Education Act, commonly known as the Butler Act. Sir Michael Barber is a British former public servant and educationist, perhaps best known for serving as Head of the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit under Tony Blair’s government. His first book, The Making of the 1944 Education Act, was published in 1994 to mark its 50th anniversary. In this, the first of two episodes, Michael discusses the historical context for the Act and the key personalities involved: 'RAB' Butler and Winston Churchill.

In response to the Government plan to replace the A-Level with a new 'Advanced British Standard', Daisy and Elizabeth consider the origins of the A-Level. What has led to this qualification's success and longevity and will the 'ABS' really kill the A-Level off?

In Autumn 2023 the Government announced its intention to replace A-Levels with a new qualification, the Advanced British Standard. In this episode, Daisy and Elizabeth take a look at the precursor to the A-Levels - the Higher School Certificate and consider what lessons it might have for those developing the new 'ABS'.

Daisy and Elizabeth interview Patrick Derham OBE, former Head Master of three leading public schools, on the challenges facing independent schools and his efforts to widen access to education.

Absenteeism has become a very real problem for schools in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, but pupils playing truant is nothing new. Daisy and Elizabeth consider school attendance in late nineteenth century England as schooling first became compulsory.

John Stuart Mill, philosopher, politician, proponent of classic liberalism and utilitarianism, is the subject of this episode. He had a unique and demanding education, learning to read Ancient Greek from the age of three. Daisy and Elizabeth explore what we can learn from his experience.