ABSTRACT
The phrase ‘not invented here’ is one often used as a criticism by those who oppose attempts to replicate in this country educational innovations which have proven successful abroad. The reasons they give for their opposition are that our children are different from those in other countries, our school system is different and above all such innovations will not be popular with either parents or teachers because our culture is different. This attitude is clearly too simplistic but its prevalence should be recognised by those wishing to learn from relevant experience abroad in raising educational standards. It may not be helpful for the English school system to look to, say, Japan, but many other countries have more similar backgrounds and experience.
