Intended to stimulate sociologically informed thinking about educating, this book has become firmly established in its field, winning places on reading lists for Education Studies, Initial Teacher Training and Continuing Professional Development courses. The book begins with a light-hearted taste of sociology, and then goes on to explore five key areas of education such as: the hidden curriculum; ideologies of educating; sociological perspectives and the study of education; educational life chances; and, the next learning system. This new edition includes sections on personalized learning, progressive education, and the impact of assessment on pupils. It also comes with a new chapter 'The Discourses of Education'.