Handsworth Revolution

The Odyssey of a School

Handsworth Revolution has been widely acclaimed as an important book. It charts the progress of an inner-city primary school over twenty three years, describing and analysing its evolution in the context of a local community at a time of rapid change. It is addictively readable, with a strong narrative drive which takes us on a personal, historical and philosophical journey that is enlivened by a vivid sense of the texture of real school life. It is much more than entertaining. It pauses from time to time to engage in profound and penetrating analysis of issues such as school leadership, the role of teaching and learning, the shifting political influences on education, the problems of social disadvantage, the experience of ethnic minority communities. It also celebrates the powerful impact of teachers and schools on children's lives, and has been enthusiastically received by young teachers and students in training, as well as by headteachers looking for reassurance and support on the question of the value of primary education. It is already being extensively used on teacher-education and leadership and management courses, both within and outside the world of education, sometimes as a set text. It will be of great interest in addition to sociologists, political analysts and local historians. This is a book not to miss. Its exceptionally positive reception from commentators in various fields suggests that it will come to be regarded as a classic of its kind, one of the few portraits of the actual life of teaching that has both become an important text for the academy and at the same time attracted a substantial general readership. Professor Tim Brighouse, now commissioner for schools in London, said at the launch of the book in Birmingham, where he was in charge of education, that he would recommend it to everyone in the field of education at every opportunity. John Clare in Telegraph: '...inspirational...' Highly recommended. Archbishop of Canterbury: '...Sir David Winkley's vivid and exciting book on the regeneration of a Birmingham primary school...' Professor Richard Hoggart: 'I've read Handworth Revolution with the greatest pleasure. A marvellous read -- highly intelligent, charitable and brave as well as honest.' Frank Robinson, Director, Headstart in the Midlands, Head and Deputy Headteachers Training Programme: 'I'm writing particularly to say how splendid Handsworth Revolution is -- every page peppered with good sound advice for future heads. That's why I've made it one of the set books for our new heads' course. As an account of a remarkable school, I think it's unique.' Professor A.H. Halsey, Professor Emeritus in Social Sciences, University of Oxford: 'I am delighted with Handsworth Revolution and I shall continue to think about it at bedtime for a long time to come...What I like is the way you convey the atmosphere of a school, the problems of children, parents, colleagues. And you give fresh insight to PGCE candidates as to what they have in store...' Dr Ranjit Sondhi, Governor of the BBC, in charge of Education and the English Regions: 'An acutely perceptive, hugely entertaining and deeply humane book. Withering spirits in the world of teaching will be greatly inspired by Handsworth Revolution. Parents everywhere will be reassured; the future of all our children is secure in the hands of philosopher-practitioners like David Winkley.'