“The Impact and Legacy of Sir Alec Clegg’s Educational Ideas and Practices” – Dr Margaret Wood, Andrew Pennington, and Dr Feng Su

Clegg believed caretakers played an important role in improving the physical environment for the better, something he was aware of from the example set by his father as a headteacher. By improving the quality of the environment the caretaker also contributes in ‘subtle’ and ‘powerful’ ways to the provision of education.

– Wood et al.

In this study, Wood, Pennington and Su examine the legacy and influence of Deputy Education Officer Alec Clegg’s (1945-1974) educational philosophy on the development of personal aspirations and professional ambitions of individuals whose lives have been affected by education in the West Riding. They consider the context in which Clegg sought to pursue his ideals and offer an analysis of how his ideas impact education at the local level today.

The use of expressive arts was widespread across the West Riding particularly in primary schools. The approach was not simply learning about drawing, painting, performing or creative writing. It was used to nurture a way of thinking and doing, which is fundamental to being human.

– Wood et al.

This paper can be downloaded here via YSJ institutional access.