ABSTRACT
D. Gillard describes the advent of neoliberalism with Thatcher's first administration in 1979, but it can be traced back further to the establishment of the Institute of Economic Affairs in 1955. This body formulated and promoted right-wing liberal approaches to education and social policy, advocating a return to early nineteenth century free-market principles. The process of ‘liberalising’ education continued with the John Major's 1992 Government and further National Curriculum reform and the introduction of statutory attainment tests in schools. Alongside changes in national political economies, a new global neoliberal paradigm was developing which had significant effects in the way education would be developed. Towards the end of the 1970s and early 1980s a resurgence of neo-classical ideas on the political economy emerged which promoted liberal market reforms as a response to increasing state spending and regulation of markets by governments.
