Episode list

Introduced by Tessa Blackstone. Our secondary schools remain the most problematic of the state education system. In each of the five programmes in this new series a single speaker raises an issue of his own choice and produces filmed evidence to support a personal view. This week Dr John Rae, headmaster of Westminster School, argues and defends his case for a return to academic selection in the state system. 'The idea of an elite is not something about which we need feel shame or guilt' and he visits the famous Bronx School of Maths and Science in New York to support this claim.

Introduced by Tessa Blackstone. Professor Harry Rée argues and defends the view that tomorrow's world demands a huge extension in education, beyond the classroom and beyond the school. The model for this already exists in those areas where the idea of community education has been taken up, such as Leicester and Coventry. The rapid expansion of community education is 'the next great reform we need before we enter the 21st century.'

Exams are seen as a necessary way of assessing how well children have done at school. But do they accurately measure children's ability and potential? And do employers and universities place more faith in exams than they deserve? Tim Brighouse, Chief Education Officer for Oxfordshire, presents evidence to support the case for radical change to the system. In the chair Tessa Blackstone.

Introduced by Tessa Blackstone. Takes the form of a discussion, chaired by Dr Tessa Blackstone, on TVEI (Technical and Vocational Initiative), training initiative sponsored by the Manpower Services Commission. Maurice Holt, a former comprehensive school headmaster, argues and defends the view that since we cannot predict the future, we must equip youngsters with the capacity to adapt to the changing world. The Government's emphasis on vocational training in education, he says, is based on preparation for today's jobs. He suggests, and shows film of, alternative ways for schools to help pupils prepare for an uncertain tomorrow. He attacks the concept of TVEI, considering that vocational education can sometimes be irrelevant, while a TVEI project leader defends the concept.

The last of five personal views of issues in secondary schooling. Who Needs the Arts? All great fun, but still only a frill. That's how many parents - and teachers - regard drama, dance, music and drawing. And so it's often the arts that suffer when budgets are cut. Dr David Hargreaves, Reader in Education at Oxford University, believes this is a serious mistake. He presents film from schools in south-east London and in Buckinghamshire, showing children's work in drama and painting, and he is questioned by Tessa Blackstone (Deputy Chief Education Officer of the ILEA) on his view that the arts are central to the curriculum.