Schooling Reimagined - by David H Hargreaves (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

If the society that lies ahead is to be a better and more ethical one, schools play a key role in its realisation. Since the 1944 Education Act implemented at the end of World War II in Europe, schooling became dominated by the idea of a meritocracy for its function in promoting social mobility. In this book, David Hargreaves explores ways in which schooling might be reimagined to strengthen the moral and ethical base of schooling, to cultivate in students the excellences of intellect and character that underlie deep happiness.

Hargreaves emphasise the importance of happiness, excellence and civic friendship to reframe the aims of schooling, drawing on works from Emile Durkheim and Aristotle, and the lesser known studies of Carol Gilligan and Sybil Schwarzenbach. He explores how the rapidly changing nature of work is an important ethical ally by providing new time and space for building community cohesion and the growth of protest and social movements offers new opportunities by which young people can play active roles in the creation of an ethical society. Bringing together various areas of study usually kept apart, this book is novel in its exploration of schooling as a powerful source of change if we are to create a more ethical society that lies ahead.

Review Quotes

"More than anyone, David Hargreaves modelled for me how to communicate complex ideas to an honourable profession in a simple and engaging way. Hargreaves is one of the last great public intellectuals in education. In this book for the ages, that spans the ages, he takes us from Aristotle to Artificial Intelligence to explain how 80 years of educational reform has failed and continues to fail generations of young people because of the false promises of meritocracy and the frivolous distractions of social media. If you want to know his inspiring, inclusive, and clearly argued alternative - then read this brilliant book!" --Andy Hargreaves, Boston College and University of Ottawa, USA

"Hargreaves' historical account of the British educational system notes how meritocracy leads schools to ignore the rich tapestry of humanity. Schooling, he proposes, can avoid wounding learners when the aim of education is to build a happier world." --Theresa A. Thorkildsen, University of Illinois Chicago, USA

"The book provides a timely, critical and constructive account about re-imagining schooling and education in the UK context. It is a must-read publication by readers who care for and about the futures of education." --John Chi-Kin Lee, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

About the Author