The Sun Sets on Old England: Contradictions in Conservative Educational Policy. Issue 3 (3rd July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jones, Ken
• Is Part Of: Changing English. Volume 26:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 321
• Page End: 331
• Publication Date: 2019-07-03
• Subjects: Conservatism -- England -- curriculum -- education policy; English literature -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; English language -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 410
• DOI: 10.1080/1358684X.2019.1614753
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1358-684X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The article describes the increasing discrepancy between the curriculum policies of the Conservative government and the policy directions argued for by business organisations and other advocates of a human capital perspective in education. It traces some of the origins of the current Conservative preference for cultural rather than economic goals in this area of policy, and suggests a new understanding of the relationship between neoconservative and neoliberal thinking on the educational right. It argues that a return to ideas and practices developed in the late twentieth century offers a basis for curriculum policy more productive than either human capital theory or Conservative traditionalism.