ABSTRACT
In the period following the Ruskin speech and the Great Debate, the Labour government was anxious to placate right-wing critics of the state education system without actually abandoning the comprehensive school. Education Secretary Shirley Williams believed firmly in the principle of parental choice, and this meant that within the state system, there should be a variety of provision with no concession to the concept of ‘neighbourhood’ or ‘community’ schools. Choice and diversity would be the new watchwords for the comprehensive school. Within any given area, the number of schools to choose from would ensure the availability of courses to suit all tastes and requirements.
