This book develops the current debate on the extent to which education is a force for change in a class-divided society, placing notions of class, power and control at the centre of the issue at a time when emphasis has been on learner identities.

1. Understanding policy, understanding pedagogic discourse Introduction Bernstein’s sociology, a language for policy On our omissions 2. Framing Equality? The Education Act 1944 Introduction Policy frameworks The 1944 legislation A governing partnership? Tripartism: a very British settlement? Conclusions 3. Selection, class and opportunity Introduction Selection and social class Selection and social class and school composition Greater equality of opportunity? Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads? Conclusions 4. Comprehensive schooling: Challenging inequality ? Introduction Going comprehensive from the ground up What was driving the change? 10/65 and after: Comprehensive Schooling and its challenges Neighbourhoods and differentiation between schools Conclusions 5. Educational Systems and Social Mobility Social mobility and education Social mobility, selection and comprehensivisation Social Mobility, Meritocracy and Education Conclusion 6. Bernstein, social reproduction and intergenerational transmission Introduction Pedagogic discourse; family, school and work Pedagogic discourse, policy and reproduction Pedagogic discourse: its key features Sifting and Sorting Privileging practices Resources Conclusions 7. Something happened: the policy framework post 1988 Introduction Centralisation: reasserting central authority, putting on the pressure Choice and diversity: power to parents? Conclusion 8. Diversity: selection and stratification? Introduction From diversity to plurality ‘New’ Labour and school diversity The Early Years Specialist Schools Academies Beacon Schools and Leading Edge Partnerships Federations and Diversity Pathfinders Faith-based schools The modernisation of comprehensive schools School diversity and social equity Conclusions 9. Further reading Bibliography