ABSTRACT
This chapter looks critically at what is presently happening within some comprehensive schools as a consequence of the increased diversification and marketization of secondary education initiated by the Education Reform Act. In particular, it argues that the creation of a grant-maintained schools sector, coupled with the encouragement of open competition between schools, is helping to foster a resurgence of traditional forms of education that are inimical to the demands of a modem society which is increasingly post-traditional in character. It concludes by outlining some policy ideas to help remodernize comprehensive schooling and thus enable it to escape the limitations of traditionalism. Now it could be said that the current trend towards traditionalism in schools is nothing more than superficial gloss or a cynical marketing ploy designed to create associations between 'good' education and high status models of schooling with the aim of attracting gullible or frightened middle class parents.
