Peter Mortimore has been a teacher, researcher and administrator in education for nearly 50 years. Most recently he was Professor of Education at the University of Southern Denmark having previously been Director of the Institute of Education, University of London. He has carried out numerous studies of school effectiveness and undertaken reviews of Nordic education systems. He was an education columnist for the Guardian for four years.

"An expert voice to be trusted - and enjoyed. If you really want to understand what education is for and how we could create a high quality system, I urge you to read this book." Melissa Benn, journalist and author of 'School Wars' "This book offers an engaging and detailed overview of the English education system. It provides an excellent starting point for students setting out on their studies in Education." Stephen Griffin, Newman University "Anyone can read and understand it and come away with a much clearer idea of how our school system works, how it got that way and what needs to be done to rescue it" Francis Beckett, New Statesman "An important book which I hope will be widely read by parents, students, teachers, and all those who care about the education of our children. (It would be good if a few politicians read it, too)", Derek Gillard, Education in England "The book makes a credible attempt at explaining why there is a better alternative" Cole Armstrong, LSE Review of Books "Stimulating and thoroughly engaging" Sheila Dore, Journal of the Socialist Education Association "a commendable contribution...will hopefully inspire policy makers and politicians" Cole Armstrong, MSc in Social Research Methods, LSE "This is the book I wish i had been told to read at the start of my career in Education." Jon Rainford's blog "A thoughtful book focusing on the meaning of education for English society and how it can be improved for all young people based on developments in the Nordic countries." Pasi Sahlberg, Director General of CIMO (Centre for International Mobility and Cooperation) in Helsinki, Finland "Wise and useful...a highly enlightening primer" Tristram Hunt, The Guardian "Peter Mortimore has analysed the English education system from 'Buildings' to 'Bildung,' from 'Desirable outcomes' to 'Democracy' and from 'quality' to 'equality'. He has compared English with Nordic education and thereby been able to identify new weaknesses and strengths and thoughtful and innovative ways forward." Lejf Moos, Aarhus University, Copenhagen. President of European Educational Research Association (EERA) "A well written book that touches on most of the topics delivered in Education studies. It provokes thought and creates the basis for discussion." Cheryl Hine, Leeds City College. "Clear, accessible and stimulating, with a critical view invaluable to undergraduates." Stephen Dixon, Newman University.

• What is education?Desirable outcomesIntellectual abilityLearningTeachingSchoolsQuality controlStrengthsAmbiguitiesWeaknessesHow good is the system?A better system?Steps towards a better systemWhat next?

Peter Mortimore has been a teacher, researcher and administrator in education for nearly 50 years. Most recently he was Professor of Education at the University of Southern Denmark having previously been Director of the Institute of Education, University of London. He has carried out numerous studies of school effectiveness and undertaken reviews of Nordic education systems. He was an education columnist for the Guardian for four years.

"An expert voice to be trusted - and enjoyed. If you really want to understand what education is for and how we could create a high quality system, I urge you to read this book." Melissa Benn, journalist and author of 'School Wars' "This book offers an engaging and detailed overview of the English education system. It provides an excellent starting point for students setting out on their studies in Education." Stephen Griffin, Newman University "Anyone can read and understand it and come away with a much clearer idea of how our school system works, how it got that way and what needs to be done to rescue it" Francis Beckett, New Statesman "An important book which I hope will be widely read by parents, students, teachers, and all those who care about the education of our children. (It would be good if a few politicians read it, too)", Derek Gillard, Education in England "The book makes a credible attempt at explaining why there is a better alternative" Cole Armstrong, LSE Review of Books "Stimulating and thoroughly engaging" Sheila Dore, Journal of the Socialist Education Association "a commendable contribution...will hopefully inspire policy makers and politicians" Cole Armstrong, MSc in Social Research Methods, LSE "This is the book I wish i had been told to read at the start of my career in Education." Jon Rainford's blog "A thoughtful book focusing on the meaning of education for English society and how it can be improved for all young people based on developments in the Nordic countries." Pasi Sahlberg, Director General of CIMO (Centre for International Mobility and Cooperation) in Helsinki, Finland "Wise and useful...a highly enlightening primer" Tristram Hunt, The Guardian "Peter Mortimore has analysed the English education system from 'Buildings' to 'Bildung,' from 'Desirable outcomes' to 'Democracy' and from 'quality' to 'equality'. He has compared English with Nordic education and thereby been able to identify new weaknesses and strengths and thoughtful and innovative ways forward." Lejf Moos, Aarhus University, Copenhagen. President of European Educational Research Association (EERA) "A well written book that touches on most of the topics delivered in Education studies. It provokes thought and creates the basis for discussion." Cheryl Hine, Leeds City College. "Clear, accessible and stimulating, with a critical view invaluable to undergraduates." Stephen Dixon, Newman University.

• What is education?Desirable outcomesIntellectual abilityLearningTeachingSchoolsQuality controlStrengthsAmbiguitiesWeaknessesHow good is the system?A better system?Steps towards a better systemWhat next?

Peter Mortimore has been a teacher, researcher and administrator in education for nearly 50 years. Most recently he was Professor of Education at the University of Southern Denmark having previously been Director of the Institute of Education, University of London. He has carried out numerous studies of school effectiveness and undertaken reviews of Nordic education systems. He was an education columnist for the Guardian for four years.

"An expert voice to be trusted - and enjoyed. If you really want to understand what education is for and how we could create a high quality system, I urge you to read this book." Melissa Benn, journalist and author of 'School Wars' "This book offers an engaging and detailed overview of the English education system. It provides an excellent starting point for students setting out on their studies in Education." Stephen Griffin, Newman University "Anyone can read and understand it and come away with a much clearer idea of how our school system works, how it got that way and what needs to be done to rescue it" Francis Beckett, New Statesman "An important book which I hope will be widely read by parents, students, teachers, and all those who care about the education of our children. (It would be good if a few politicians read it, too)", Derek Gillard, Education in England "The book makes a credible attempt at explaining why there is a better alternative" Cole Armstrong, LSE Review of Books "Stimulating and thoroughly engaging" Sheila Dore, Journal of the Socialist Education Association "a commendable contribution...will hopefully inspire policy makers and politicians" Cole Armstrong, MSc in Social Research Methods, LSE "This is the book I wish i had been told to read at the start of my career in Education." Jon Rainford's blog "A thoughtful book focusing on the meaning of education for English society and how it can be improved for all young people based on developments in the Nordic countries." Pasi Sahlberg, Director General of CIMO (Centre for International Mobility and Cooperation) in Helsinki, Finland "Wise and useful...a highly enlightening primer" Tristram Hunt, The Guardian "Peter Mortimore has analysed the English education system from 'Buildings' to 'Bildung,' from 'Desirable outcomes' to 'Democracy' and from 'quality' to 'equality'. He has compared English with Nordic education and thereby been able to identify new weaknesses and strengths and thoughtful and innovative ways forward." Lejf Moos, Aarhus University, Copenhagen. President of European Educational Research Association (EERA) "A well written book that touches on most of the topics delivered in Education studies. It provokes thought and creates the basis for discussion." Cheryl Hine, Leeds City College. "Clear, accessible and stimulating, with a critical view invaluable to undergraduates." Stephen Dixon, Newman University.

• What is education?Desirable outcomesIntellectual abilityLearningTeachingSchoolsQuality controlStrengthsAmbiguitiesWeaknessesHow good is the system?A better system?Steps towards a better systemWhat next?