Rab Butler

In the depths of war, conscription and evacuation; schools were closed, destroyed, damaged or commandeered. Less than half of eligible children attended school. Over 1 million children received no schooling at all and many were left to run wild in the towns and cities.

MM

With a shortage of class rooms, teachers and supplies; the 'old education system' was crumbling to the 'point of collapse'.

MM

Butler's 1944 Education Act launched a new era of state-funded secondary education for children of all backgrounds; raising the school leaving age from 14 to 15. The promise of 'laughter in the classroom' was soon replaced by the 'stress of the 11-plus'; and a chance of academic excellence and sporting achievement. But most of all, a pathway to university and a better life!

MM

"When the war is won ... it must be one of our aims to work to establish a state of society where the advantage and privilege which hitherto have been enjoyed only by the few should be more widely shared by the many and the youth of the nation as a whole".

Churchill speaking at Harrow School

Photo: Hugo van Gelderen / Dutch National Archives • Licensed for reuse under CC0 1.0