Reading for Battle
Battle Readings is a regularly updated compilation of articles, essays, and opinion pieces relevant to the themes of the Battle of Ideas.
Choose a theme from the listing on the left to narrow your search, or view all readings.
Education
Civic Engagement and the Copernican Moment
"This talk is meant to aid in such a reexamination. It will speak to both the achievements of the academic engagement movement and new challenges."
David Scobey, Imagining America, 21 September 2011
"This talk is meant to aid in such a reexamination. It will speak to both the achievements of the academic engagement movement and new challenges."
David Scobey, Imagining America, 21 September 2011
State classrooms are stifling social mobility in Britain
If the new academies aren’t permitted to select pupils then they will fail the most able.
Christopher Ray, Daily Telegraph, 20 September 2011
If the new academies aren’t permitted to select pupils then they will fail the most able.
Christopher Ray, Daily Telegraph, 20 September 2011
The horse before the cart
Some experiments have failed. Others are now entering the mainstream
Economist, 17 September 2011
Some experiments have failed. Others are now entering the mainstream
Economist, 17 September 2011
A Short History of England
From the invaders of the dark ages to today’s coalition, Simon Jenkins weaves a strong narrative using our most important dates. There have been long histories of England but there is no standard short work covering all significant events, themes and individuals.
Simon Jenkins, Profile Books, September 2011
A philistine defence of the university
They’re more than happy to fight a fantasy left-wing crusade against the ‘ConDem’ government, yet defenders of higher education lack a sense of what they're actually defending.
Tim Black, spiked, September 2011
They’re more than happy to fight a fantasy left-wing crusade against the ‘ConDem’ government, yet defenders of higher education lack a sense of what they're actually defending.
Tim Black, spiked, September 2011
A Peckham tale
It is an honour to work with the leaders of tomorrow’s Britain
Lindsay Johns, , 24 August 2011
It is an honour to work with the leaders of tomorrow’s Britain
Lindsay Johns, , 24 August 2011
Don't write off schools just yet, Lord Jones
The education system is still the best place to teach youngsters about the world of work.
Katharine Birbalsingh, Daily Telegraph, 27 July 2011
The education system is still the best place to teach youngsters about the world of work.
Katharine Birbalsingh, Daily Telegraph, 27 July 2011
If Gove wants social mobility, he needs a bold policy
The government's record on social mobility is poor, says Mike Baker, but it could do better if it took the controversial step of reserving places for students from less privileged backgrounds
Mike Baker, Guardian, 18 July 2011
The government's record on social mobility is poor, says Mike Baker, but it could do better if it took the controversial step of reserving places for students from less privileged backgrounds
Mike Baker, Guardian, 18 July 2011
AC Grayling has caricatured British universities. No wonder they're fuming
The New College of Humanities founder has exposed higher education as a luxury consumable for the middle classes
Simon Jenkins, Guardian, 9 June 2011
The New College of Humanities founder has exposed higher education as a luxury consumable for the middle classes
Simon Jenkins, Guardian, 9 June 2011
AC Grayling's private university is odious
The money-grubbing dons signing up at the £18k a year New College of the Humanities are the thin edge of an ugly wedge
Terry Eagleton, Guardian, 6 June 2011
The money-grubbing dons signing up at the £18k a year New College of the Humanities are the thin edge of an ugly wedge
Terry Eagleton, Guardian, 6 June 2011