NEW TITLE FROM VERSO:
SCHOOL WARS: THE BATTLE FOR BRITAIN’S EDUCATION
By MELISSA BENN
Published: 5th SEPTEMBER 2011
---------------------------------
EVENTS:
October 11, 2011, London Review Bookshop
MELISSA BENN: SCHOOL WARS
http://www.lrbshop.co.uk/home.php?cat=37
October 13, 2011, Wanstead Library, London
SCHOOL WARS: THE BATTLE FOR BRITAIN’S EDUCATION
Melissa Benn in conversation with Michael Rosen
http://www.newhambooks.co.uk/blog/?p=1793
October 14, 2011, Ilkley Playhouse Wharfeside
MELISSA BENN AT ILKLEY LITERATURE FESTIVAL
http://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/2011/10/14/153-the-battle-for-britain%E2%80%99s-education-melissa-benn/
October 16, 2011, Imperial Square, London
THE GREAT EDUCATION DEBATE AT TIMES CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL
Melissa Benn debates with Chris Healy, Anthony Seldon & Toby Young
http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/find-events/literature/l384-the-great-education-debate-melissa-benn-chris-healy-anthony-seldon-toby-
October 17, 2011, Maison Bertaux
SCHOOL WARS: THE BATTLE FOR BRITAIN’S EDUCATION
Melissa Benn in a Soho Conversation
http://www.versobooks.com/events/273-school-wars-the-battle-for-britains-education
November 10, 2011, Pages of Hackney bookshop
PAGES PRESENTS SCHOOL WARS
http://pagesofhackney.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=53
November 25, Landmark Arts Centre, London
MELISSA BENN AT RICHMOND UPON THAMES LITERATURE FESTIVAL
http://www2.richmond.gov.uk/richmondbookings/BookingStep2.aspx?id=3024
November 29, Bishopsgate Institute, London
WHOSE MIND IS IT ANYWAY? INFLUENCING YOUNG MINDS
Melissa Benn in discussion with John White (Institute of Education), Andy Thornton (Citizenship Foundation) & Frank Furedi
http://www.bishopsgate.org.uk/events_detail.aspx?ID=85&Keyword=whose+mind&TypeID=
--------------------------------
Praise for SCHOOL WARS:
“[A] partisan but surprisingly fair book ... is refreshing, in a debate usually full of denunciations. ” ANDY BECKETT, GUARDIAN
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/sep/01/school-wars-melissa-benn-review?CMP=twt_gu
--------------------------------
SCHOOL WARS tells the story of the struggle for Britain’s education system. Established during the 1960s and based on the progressive ideal of good schools for all, the comprehensive system has over the past decades come under sustained attack from successive governments.
From the poorest comprehensives to the most well-resourced independent schools, School Wars takes a forensic look at the inequalities of our current system, the damaging impact of spending cuts, the rise of “free schools” and the growth of the private sector in education. Melissa Benn explores, too, the dangerous example of US education reform, where privatization, punitive accountability and the rise of charter schools have intensified social, economic and ethnic divisions.
The policies of successive British governments have been muddled and confused, but one thing is clear: that the relentless application of market principles signals a fundamental shift from the ideal of quality education as a public good, to education as market-controlled commodity. Benn ends by outlining some key principles for restoring strong educational values within a fair, non-selective public education system.
---------------------------------
Further praise for SCHOOL WARS:
“Melissa Benn deserves—demands—to be read. This is a passionate but well made argument for universal public education to promote every child's chances—not just for them, but for us.” WILL HUTTON, author of THEM AND US: CHANGING BRITAIN – WHY WE NEED A FAIR SOCIETY
“A tremendous book. It is a passionate polemic about the most important policy divide of the day, schooling, the area changing more at the hands of the coalition government than any other.” – ANTONHY SELDON, OBSERVER:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/sep/04/school-wars-education-benn-review
“A poetically eloquent ... [and] important watershed. It is a clear-sighted re-statement of why universal, comprehensive education is – obviously – the best option. It should, and hopefully will, be taken as a rallying call to the left.” – PHIL BEADLE, INDEPENDENT:
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/school-wars-the-battle-for-britains-education-by-melissa-benn-2351229.html
“Superb, evidence-based history of the educational battleground during the second half of the last century.” – CAMDEN NEW JOURNAL:
http://www.camdennewjournal.com/reviews/books/2011/sep/books-review-school-wars-battle-britains-education-melissa-benn
“Short, well written and passionate.” – FRANCIS BECKETT, NEW STATESMAN:
http://www.newstatesman.com/non-fiction/2011/09/education-benn-labour-children
---------------------------------
ISBN: 978-1-84467-736-8 / $19.95/£12.99/$25.00 / Paperback Original / 256 pages
-----------------------------------
For more information about SCHOOL WARS, or to buy the book visit:
http://www.versobooks.com/books/1016-school-wars
---------------------------------
Visit Verso’s website for information on our upcoming events, new reviews and publications and special offers: http://www.versobooks.com
Become a fan of Verso on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Verso-Books/205847279448577
And get updates on Twitter too!
http://twitter.com/VersoBooks
|
