Life Lessons: The Case for a National Education Service - Softcover

Melissa Benn

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1788732200 ISBN 13: 9781788732208

Publisher: Verso, 2018

Synopsis

A bold proposal for new thinking on education: the formation of a National Education Service

It is time for a radical shake up of the purposes and practices of our education system.
Melissa Benn is one of the most clear sighted and vocal campaigners for improving our schools. She shows here how we need to rethink education for life. As more and more of us live and work longer than ever before, a National Education Service should, like the NHS, be the framework that ensures a life-long entitlement for all, from early years provision to apprenticeships, universities and adult education. Like the NHS, it should be free at the point of delivery. The purpose of learning is not solely to pass exams but to prepare for living in the world; citizens of the future will need to develop their imaginations as well as their intellects, to be at ease with both knowledge and uncertainty.
Life Lessons sets out a radical agenda for how we make education for all, and make it relevant to the demands of 21st century. This requires a deep-rooted, long-term vision of the role of learning in our society, one that is ready to take on the challenges of a new century and be part of a wider shift towards greater equality.

About this title

Review:

'Invaluable in providing education activists with the tools to move debates on Labour education policies forward... A very readable book, to be thoroughly recommended.' --
- Morning Star
'When we see what's going wrong in education, we need people like Melissa Benn to give us signposts for what else is possible. As a lifelong campaigner for a fair and equitable education system, she shows she is the ideal person to map out a progressive agenda for education in the future. With an overloaded curriculum, relentless testing and increased selection, this book is a timely appeal for a rational and democratic education service.' --
-Michael Rosen, author of Good Ideas
captures the spirit of the progressive education movement as it exists today, and reflects its current grievances and priorities . . . will be warmly welcomed by all those who believe our education system is broken and needs radical transformation.
-- Red Pepper

Benn is not only an outstanding campaigner but she s also a brilliant writer. What I loved about her book is the mixture of radicalism and pragmatism; Benn presents solutions to the many problems facing parents, pupils and teachers today. This book is an essential argument for an equal and fair education system, and a vital contribution to our National Education Service, one of Labour s flagship policy proposals.' --Angela Rayner, Shadow Education Secretry

About the Author:

Melissa Benn is a journalist, novelist and campaigner. She has written for the Guardian, the New Statesman, Public Finance, Cosmopolitan and the London Review of Books, among many others. Her writing on education includes School Wars: the Battle for Britain's Education and A Comprehensive Future: Quality and Equality for All Our Children, written with Fiona Millar. In spring 2012 she won the Fred and Anne Jarvis award in recognition of her outstanding individual contribution for a fairer education system. She is also the author of What Shall we Tell Our Daughters? and the novel One of Us.

About this edition

• Publisher: Verso
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1788732200
• ISBN 13: 9781788732208
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176