The education system of the UK is failing many children - particularly the inner city children who need education most. This book challenges low expectations, poor teaching, complacency and the unthinking commitment to progressive, child-centred teaching methods. Chris Woodhead's controversial book exposes the bureaucracy, waste and incompetence in so many local education authorities. It demonstrates how the University academics who train our teachers are in fact responsible for much of the ideological nonsense which has forced so many parents to dig deep into their pockets to escape state education. In a nutshell, the book confronts the vested forces of the education system and stands up on behalf of parents across the country who know that their children should be getting a better deal. The book will strike a chord with anyone who believes that education is valuable in itself, not solely existing for its contribution to our social and economic good.