video record
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Description
"The Case of William Tyndale" looks not at the disputed events nor at the subsequent Inquiry or Industrial Tribunal. Instead we asked the participants, for the first time, to reflect on w...hat they considered the educational issues and lessons to be learned. The principals taking part include Terry Ellis and Brian Haddow and Dolly Walker - all Tyndale teachers at the height of the controversy. Harvey Hinds, who resigned as ILEA Schools Sub-Committee Chairman over the affair, Max Wilkinson then of the Daily Mail and a number of others centrally involved. Their reflections are uniquely revealing of a case which has already come to be used by the popular press as a synonym, a catch phrase for problems of "progressive" education.
Metadata describing this Open University video programme
Module code and title: E202, Schooling and society
Item code: E202; 03
First transmission date: 29-05-1977
Published: 1977
Rights Statement:
Restrictions on use:
Duration: 00:23:48
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Producer: Ken Little
Contributors: Terry Ellis; Roger Dale; Harvey Hinds; Vivian Pape; Max Wilkinson; Dolly Walker; Aelsthryth Gittings; Anne Page; Dorothy McColgan; Brian Haddow
Publisher: BBC Open University
Keyword(s): Progressive education; William Tyndale School
Footage description: The programme opens with shots of William Tyndale School. From outside London's County Hall Roger Dale introduces the programme. Interview with Terry Ellis, formerly headmaster of William Tyndale. He outlines the causes of conflict with ILEA as he sees it, and draws conclusions about education and society. In interview Harvey Hinds, former Chairman ILEA Schools Committee, states his position towards the case. Vivian Pape, former Staff Inspector for ILEA primary education, explains the role of the inspector, and expresses opinions on how the case was handled. Max Wilkinson, former Education correspondent of the Daily Mail argues that the Press played a vital role in the Tyndale affair, and justifies its attacks on 'progressive' education. Dolly Walker, the Tyndale teacher opposed to the changes being enacted at the school, explains why she fought against the rest of the staff. Interview with Aelsthryth Gittings, former manager at the school. She argues that the staff were inefficient, and explains why she contacted the press. Islington councillor Anne Page describes complaints about the school that were made to her. Hinds then argues that educational professionals must be accountable to the relevant local politicians. Four of the Tyndale staff involved in the case are interviewed together. Haddow argues that the range of opposition against then was overwhelming. Dorothy McColgan maintains they were not very different from many other schools. They all agree that attacks upon them were political rather than educational. Ellis argues that they were opposed for their views rather than what they actually did. Roger Dale concludes the programme from outside William Tyndale school. He describes the effects of the case on education in general. After the credits a caption states that the teachers involved were sacked at an ILEA disciplinary tribunal held after the programme was made.
Master spool number: 6HT/72455
Production number: 00525_6148
Videofinder number: 562
Available to public: no