ABSTRACT
As the 20th century limped towards its close, I found myself invited to occupy a space once a fortnight on the back page of The Times Education Supplement. I am not sure why. It is a serious and distinguished journal, and my broodings, musings and ravings were alternating with those of the late Professor Ted Wragg of Exeter University, who knew the educational field backwards and had long fought his corner for humane and sane education and the status of the front-line teacher. I, on the other hand, am neither teacher, educationalist, nor even a dinner lady. I did think of teaching, but bottled out in 1968. I am an outsider.
