ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of issues and contradictions and the challenge they present for the development of thinking and practice, against the background of a broad view of the current scene and of recent achievements. It seeks to examine and unscramble some of the rather loose and widely used rhetoric of partnership and its implications, not only for teachers, parents and pupils, but for all those who wish to see these partners working together more effectively. The chapter seeks to summarise basic professional attitudes that have been characteristic of the education service throughout the UK. It attempts to explore some of its characteristics as a necessary starting point for any attempt to monitor or evaluate existing practice or to encourage the further development of thinking and action in this area. The idea of a developing partnership between families and schools has provided both the rationale and the substance of a number of significant funded projects and initiatives throughout the UK.
