ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the history, role and function of education. It identifies ways in which the activities of Teaching Assistants (TAs) are framed by educational policy. The chapter examines ideological differences in educational policy. It argues that the development of the curriculum and assessment is not a neutral phenomenon. The chapter suggests that pedagogy is a political issue. The role of government and the function of education is one that has always been central to educational provision in England since the introduction of compulsory education with the 1870 Foster Education Act. Policy is an important aspect of understanding schools and education. It is difficult to do credit to the discussion of curriculum and assessment at both secondary and primary level, so it will be considered in a thematic way. Pedagogy refers to the way teachers teach and children learn. Classrooms were the domain of teachers and it was accepted that their professional knowledge and understanding would guide their practice.
