Based on two conferences, this volume explores trends during the 1960s and 1970s in inner city areas in the United Kingdom. It describes how the inner city is losing jobs and skilled workers and, as the population falls, the number of disadvantaged people and those claiming benefits is increasing. To what extent, the book asks, does the educational system contribute to or alleviate Britain’s urban crisis? In answering this question, the contributors examine the complex interrelationships between educational, economic and social problems, and point out that one of the major weaknesses of the present educational system in Britain is that it is in no way linked to the labour market. They suggest how schools could be better linked to local employment opportunities while at the same time offering more culturally varied educational opportunities. They also analyze Britain’s urban programme and show that it in no way matches up to what is required if poverty – which is seen as the root of the urban crisis – is to be eradicated.
Introductory Essay Frank Field. 1 The Emerging Urban Crisis 1 American Cities: A prototype for Britain? Alan N Little 2 What’s happening in the inner city? A) Segregating the poor David Eversley b) The urban economy John Vaizey c) Planning employment Peter Hall 2 The Government’s Response 1 The birth of educational priority areas A H Halsey 2 Britain’s urban programme Frank Field 3 The right urban programme? Frank Field 4 The importance of the Halsey Report John Vaizey 5 What did Halsey propose? Stephen Jessel 6 The governmental response to EPAs A H Halsey 3 What is happening in Inner City Schools? 1 Declining pupil performance and the urban environment Alan N Little 2 A counter view 1 Peter Newsam 3 A counter view 2 Eric Midwinter 4 Indiscipline Peter Newsam 5 A broken-back school Henry Hodge 6 Consumers’ reactions Edited by Patricia Haikin 4 A New Deal for Urban Education 1 What do parents want? A) Gaining basic skills Alan N Little and Virginia Makins b) Parental attitudes Harriett Wilson c) Parental involvement Harriett Wilson d) The new professionals Eric Midwinter 2 Schools and the Labour Market a) Making people employable Nicholas Gillett b) Need for better links between school and work – 1 David Eversley c) Need for better links between school and work – 2 John Bazalgette d) Need for better links between school and work – 3 Patricia Haikin 3 Alternative patterns of education a) The free school in Islington Peter Newell b) The free school in Barrowfield John Macbeath 4 Parents and alternative patterns of education a) Using the teachers’ expertise John Macbeath b) Requesting reactionary reforms Peter Newsam c) Administrator’s paranoia Virginia Makins d) Danish Lille-schools Joe Rogaly 5 Inside the free school a) Role of teachers Peter Newell b) Students choosing their own curriculum John Macbeath c) Control of expenditure and expulsions Peter Newell d) Explaining the need for qualifications Peter Newell e) Securing the future of educational experiments 5 Conference Suggestions 1 Making the most of falling numbers Peter Newsam 2 The square mile survey Peter Newell 3 How do we spread success? Peter Newsam 4 Spreading news about success – 1 Eric Midwinter 5 Spreading news about success – 2 John Macbeath 6 Solutions lie in the schools Peter Newsam 7 Back to the poverty issue – 1 John Vaizey 8 Back to the poverty issue – 2 Frank Field 9 Foundations and the urban crisis – a personal view Peter Brinson. List of delegates.
Biography
Frank Field (Edited by)
