A Tribute to Caroline Benn

Originally born in Ohio, Caroline Benn came to England to study and married Anthony Wedgewood-Benn in 1949. She devoted her life to comprehensive education and was co-founder of the Campaign for Comprehensive Education. She wrote the definitive study on the progress of comprehensive reform in the UK and other key works on the future of education. Her active work in local government as well as being a tutor, lecturer and school governor meant her death in 2000 was mourned by many in educational as well as political circles. A Tribute to Caroline Benn celebrates the life and work of the celebrated educationalist and Tony Benn’s late wife. This collection of essays focuses on the big issues in education. Many were embraced by her during her long and active life, such as the concept of inclusion, the campaign for comprehensive education, and the need to fight for educational reform alongside social justice and equality.

Author Biography

Melissa Benn, daughter of Caroline and Tony Benn, is a writer and journalist who contributes regularly to The Guardian and other national newspapers and magazines. Her books include Public Lives (a novel) and Madonna and Child: Towards A New Politics of Motherhood; Clyde Chitty is Professor of Policy and Management in Education and joint Head of the Department of Educational Studies at Goldsmith’s College University of London. He has written extensively on education, including Thirty Years On with Caroline Benn.