ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the key themes of the book. It begins by exploring the reasons for the existence of an education system that has, inherent in its structure, a deep discontinuity. After a brief examination of the aims of primary and secondary education in the UK and the problems associated with a divided education system and a divided teaching profession, it introduces a permeating theme of the book – the ‘bridging’ of the gap that exists between the two phases of schooling.
