Part I: The Condition of English 1. Beyond our Ken: English, Englishness, and the National Curriculum 2. Two cheers for liberal education 3. But is it English ...? The National Curriculum and progressive English teaching 4. Future imperfect? English and the new vocationalism Part II: Theories, Pedagogies, Initiatives 5. Refunctioning theory: 'At most pedagogics' 6. Never mind English: This is theory in the secondary school 7. Teaching difference/teaching differently 8. Notes in the margin: Teaching women's writing 9. There's no such thing as only literature': English teaching in an anti-racist and multicultural context 10. Dreaming the local: Teaching popular cultural forms Part III: Case Studies 11. I see the murderer is a skilful door opener': Investigating autobiography and detective stories with 11 to 18 year olds 12. Changing literature at A level 13. Teaching creative writing 14. Another park bench: Autobiography, knowledge, and popular education 15. Taking it seriously: Teaching popular culture