Co-operative College and a Century of Social Change

Tom Woodin is Professor in the Social History of Education at the Institute of Education, University College London, UK. His research interests include the social history of learning and the history of social and labour movements.Keith Vernon is Principal Lecturer in History at the University of Central Lancashire, UK. He has researched and written on a range of topics on the history of higher, technical and vocational education.Linda Shaw was the Vice Principal at the Co-operative College in Manchester, UK. She has also worked within the fields of international development and related labour issues including corporate social responsibility, most recently delivering training on modern slavery.

"The book demonstrates a well-organised structure enriched with informative illustrations and a comprehensive bibliography. ...  this work offers an instructive case study for comprehending the role of educational institutions in social movements. It stands as an indispensable resource for researchers examining corporatism, adult education, labour movement history, or modern British historiography." (Zhu Yuan, History of Education, June 2, 2025)

• Introduction.- Beginnings.- The Formation of the Co-operative College and the Interwar Years.-  War and Peace.- A Short Golden Age? The Post-War Years.- Challenge, Engagement and Decline, 1958-1977.- Decline, Crisis and Renewal, 1977-1999.- Searching for a New Identity, 2000-2019.- Conclusion.