Britain's two recent referenda - on Brexit (2016) and on Scottish independence (2014) - have raised in the public mind fundamental questions about the future of the UK. It seems that for the first time, the public, the media and the political elite have woken up to the fact that in different parts of the UK, there are different histories, different aspirations and different imagined futures in relation to a whole range of vitally important political issues. But what the public debate often fails to recognise is that in many areas of public life - perhaps especially education - the UK is already a federal state and in key respects has been so for many years. The aim of this volume is therefore to take stock: to try and capture what the current state of educational policy and practice is across the whole of the UK. This has been achieved by commissioning two different papers from each of the four countries - Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. The first is an overview, exploring the distinctive history, principles and current policies of each country. The second paper has been specifically chosen as a case study of a key policy that highlights the distinctiveness of each country - the Foundation Phase for Wales, assessment policy in Scotland, 'shared education' initiatives in Northern Ireland and higher education policy in England. Taken together these eight papers give an important insight into the complexities of educational policy and practice across the whole of the UK today. This volume was originally published as a special issue of Oxford Review of Education.

Britain's two recent referenda - on Brexit (2016) and on Scottish independence (2014) - have raised in the public mind fundamental questions about the future of the UK. It seems that for the first time, the public, the media and the political elite have woken up to the fact that in different parts of the UK, there are different histories, different aspirations and different imagined futures in relation to a whole range of vitally important political issues. But what the public debate often fails to recognise is that in many areas of public life - perhaps especially education - the UK is already a federal state and in key respects has been so for many years. The aim of this volume is therefore to take stock: to try and capture what the current state of educational policy and practice is across the whole of the UK. This has been achieved by commissioning two different papers from each of the four countries - Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. The first is an overview, exploring the distinctive history, principles and current policies of each country. The second paper has been specifically chosen as a case study of a key policy that highlights the distinctiveness of each country - the Foundation Phase for Wales, assessment policy in Scotland, 'shared education' initiatives in Northern Ireland and higher education policy in England. Taken together these eight papers give an important insight into the complexities of educational policy and practice across the whole of the UK today. This volume was originally published as a special issue of Oxford Review of Education.

First Published in 1996. The last 15 years have seen major changes in the way in which children with special educational needs are considered and taught. This book explains the current approach by reference to the developments in the recent past; consider some of the issues involved in identifying and assessing children who may have special educational needs; describes the SEN provision which can reasonably be expected to be made by schools and the statutory duties of the Governing Body; looks at funding; statements of Special Educational Needs and how to appeal and complain to governing bodies such as SEN tribunal, Ombudsman, and the Secretary of State.

- What are professional doctorates? - How do they change professional knowledge and improve practice? - How can universities organise doctoral programmes to facilitate professional learning and development? - What is the most appropriate relationship between professional and academic knowledge? This book examines the relationship between advanced study on higher education courses and professional practice. It explores contributions made by research on practice to professional development. The editors document and explain strategies that universities use: - in recruitment - aims and purposes of the degree - selection of content and focus - assessment procedures - curricular structures - pedagogy - teaching strategies - conditions for learning - support for professionals - relations with interested bodies and stakeholders. The book uses in-depth case studies of three professional doctorates: the doctorate in business administration (DBA), the engineering doctorate (DEng) and the education doctorate (EdD). Examining Professional Doctorates makes an important contribution to this neglected area of research. Essential reading for policy makers in higher education and anyone interested in professional doctoral study.