There have been schools of many kinds over the past five thousand years. This book traces their evolution from the teaching of cuneiform in Ancient Sumeria to the use of digital technologies.

Warlow reflects on the innovations which have shaped practice in education today. Comenius in 17th century Hungary promoted classroom drama, art, astronomy and gardens where each child could grow plants. In the 19th century Robert Owens school in New Lanark for his factory employees took the children for a daily walk through the forest; there were no rewards or punishments, just the satisfaction of learning. Maos Cultural Revolution brought schools to a standstill, but Deng Xjapings recovery of Chinese education in the 1980s was remarkable.

In this comprehensive exploration of education through the ages, Warlow asks the question - what can modern schools learn from the past? The history of education is the history of our culture, full of wisdom and enterprise.