"In the short-term media bubble, where ministers struggle to recall last year's initiative, it's hard to hang on to the past. This memoir is offered as a case study, which testifies that there was teaching before the tests, learning before the league tables, and that some of it was very good." Paul Francis was born in 1944, and retired in 1998. Over thirty years, he worked in four comprehensive schools, setting out as a struggling probationer and ending as a senior manager. A published poet and playwright, he has written pioneering texts on discipline, oral work and the attitudes of boys. He has been centrally involved in controversies over mixed-ability teaching, SATs and Chris Woodhead. Comprehensive View provides a lively, readable account of his life and work. Praise for earlier books by Paul Francis: "I first read his thoughtful book on discipline, Beyond Control?, years ago, and have recommended it to student teachers ever since. Francis is a good writer with a persuasive style. The book moves at a decent pace, peppered with descriptions of events in particular schools..." (Ted Wragg on The Best Policy? T.E.S.)