The Children's Charter - that was how the 1944 Butler Education Act was heralded in post-war Britain. For the first time the State would provide free secondary education for all. The aim was ' Equality of Opportunity.'
Thirty years on Desmond Wilcox leads an investigation into the fairness and effectiveness of our state schools; and examines the controversies which surround the changing ideas, structures and teaching methods experienced by two generations of Butler children. Jeremy James , with a film team, reports on the educational experiences of three families in Leicester, Sheffield and Coventry. Following each of the film reports, some of the major educational issues facing Britain today will be discussed in the studio by a panel including:
Sir Alec Clegg , former Chief Education Officer, West Riding of Yorkshire
Professor Brian Cox , Manchester University and Editor of the Black Papers
Dr Eric Midwinter , Director, Liverpool Teachers' Centre
Research ANNE KARPF, ELIZABETH FAY Studio director SIMON WADLEIGH ProducerELWYN PARRY-JONES Editor ADAM CLAPHAM