The provision of education is at the centre of a heated and often acrimonious debate, with both administrators and teachers under severe pressures as a result of profound and enforced changes. Education can be said to be in recession in three senses. It is a service provided within an economy which is in recession and consequently faces continuous demands for savings. It is in recession within itself, with a dramatic reduction in pupil numbers and accompanying school closures and loss of teaching jobs. Finally, those working within it feel that it has lost its position of pre-eminence and respect in the fight against social problems; it faces criticism from all sides and repeated calls for better value for money.

First published in 1986, Education in Recession explores the crisis brought about by this recession. The author focuses upon those who administer the cuts—the local authorities and, in particular, one County—‘Shire’. He traces the changing circumstances in which local government and education have found themselves since the post-war growth period and examines what now seems to be a ‘cuts culture’. The effect upon local government, schools, teachers, and pupils of recent changes is analysed, and portents for the future are studied with considerable concern. Throughout, the study of ‘Shire’ is linked to the wider national scene and related to the debate about the nature of education and the organizations which control it.

This book should be read by those in the teaching profession and those about to enter it; and those in local government who face the problem of continually finding savings in the service they have striven to build up. It will also be of interest to students and researchers of education.