ABSTRACT
THE main developments of the concept of secondary education for all have already been briefly outlined by H. C. Dent, in his book of that title, who traced the first demand as far back as the Labour Party Conference of 1905. In fact, however, as Dent himself suspected, the idea dates back from at least the 1890s, when it emerged as part of the programme of the Trade Union movement. In a resolution 'emphatically' condemning 'the education policy of the present Government', the Trades Union Congress in 1897 demanded 'equality of opportunity'. They would not be satisfied, the resolution continued, 'until the highest educational advantages which the country affords are within the reach of all'. Clause 3 demanded 'That the half-time system be abolished; that the school age be raised to sixteen years, and such maintenance provided by the State as shall place secondary education within the reach of every worker's child.' The system of providing secondary education for a 'very small proportion of the workers' children who can come to the top after severe competition with their school-fellows' was strongly condemned.
