This work provides a major analysis of the Department for Education and Employment and marks the centenary of the Board of Education. It draws upon material from interviews with the Secretary of State, David Blunkett, and the Permanent Secretary, Sir Michael Bichard. The opening chapters set out the historical and comparative contexts. These are followed by an examination of the relationships between the Education and Employment departments within broad cultural frames. A further chapter describes the concept and implementation of lifelong learning. In conclusion the authors identify the problems and possibilities facing the DfEE at the start of the 21st century. The authors: Richard Aldrich is Professor of History of Education and David Crook is Lecturer in Education, both at the Institute of Education, University of London; David Watson is Research Officer at the Association of University Teachers.

Author Biography

At the time of publication, David Crook was Lecturer in History of Education at the Institute of Education, University of London. At the time of publication, David Watson was Research Officer at the Association of University Teachers.