First published in 1970, this book tackles the topic of education and its structure and administration processes at the time of the early 1970s. This book broke new ground at the time, giving insight into an unfamiliar world, as Birley examines the system from nursery class to Polytechnic. Birley gives the angle of those who tried to make it work and discusses the actual problems they faced, analysing principles and practice in way previously unattempted. The education officer is seen in relation to his committee, to the community, and to the teaching profession. He is seen confronted by conflicting demands – of local needs and national policy, of democracy and forward planning, of educational philosophy and economic necessity.