This history of secondary education argues for a reassessment of the relative importance of state regulation and private provision. Although the public schools enjoyed their greatest prestige during this period, in terms of educational reform and progress their importance has been exaggerated. The role of the public school, the author suggests, was social rather than academic, and as such its power and influence is to be interpreted principally in relation to the growth of new social elites, the concept of public service and the needs of the empire for a bureaucratic ruling class.

A detailed historical account of the origins of the modern examination system in England from 1850 to 1900. At the beginning of the nineteenth century public examinations were almost unknown, yet by its end they were established as the most generally acceptable method of assessment and selection; with many they had become almost an article of the Victorian faith, though their objectivity and efficacy were already becoming matters of public controversy. The Oxford and Cambridge honours examinations provided a major source for Victorian ideas of open competition and public examinations. It was...

The Art of Nicole Brune is a collection of Nicole's most popular pieces from the past 6 years. This is her largest collection of works to date with 40 beautiful pieces across 50 full color pages. Nicole's paintings are either fully rendered graphite drawings which are scanned and then digitally painted, or completely handmade with brush and oil paints. Take a look inside to see Pin Ups made by a Pin Up herself 48 Pages, 40 Paintings and a foreword by Lorenzo Sperlonga Signed and limited edition versions are available through www.NicoleBrune.com