From Abacus to Circle Time: A Short History of the Primary School

Education journalist Mike Baker traces the controversial changes to the ways we have educated our youngest children over the past 150 years

From Abacus to Circle Time: A Short History of the Primary School - Episode 1

Mike Baker explores the strict, no-nonsense Victorian schoolroom and hears from former pupils about their experience of primary schools from the 1930s to the 1960s.

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From Abacus to Circle Time: A Short History of the Primary School - Episode 2

Mike Baker explores the birth of progressive and informal teaching methods in the 1960s and the influential Plowden Report's new ideas about the 'developmental age'.

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From Abacus to Circle Time: A Short History of the Primary School - Episode 3

Mike Baker explores the era of the literacy hour, league tables and SATs controversy. Teachers, parents, David Blunkett, Chris Woodhead and Sir Tim Brighouse contribute.

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