ABSTRACT
The traditional model for the role of the centre in the education system in England is that it provides a framework within which other agencies and people run the schools and colleges. In law the major change from an education grant to a general or block grant had taken place in 1958. The ministers with major concern, and frequently important statutory duties, for services provided by local authorities are education, health and social services, and the Home Secretary. In the government of education where so many parties have legitimate interests, much of the business consists in the striking of balances and bargains. Often the government's role is to act on behalf of the very wide but inactive majority in making bargains with directly interested minority groups. The concern over the content of school education developed quickly, and extended to critical examination of the aims that the schools set themselves and the standards of performance that they achieved.
