School's out!: the hidden history of Britain's school student strikes

Young people, we are told, are totally disengaged from political debate. True, distrust of the Westminster political game has alienated many. But as soon as an opportunity arises to effect real change - whether that's the independence referendum in Scotland or Jeremy Corbyn's election as Labour Party leader - young people have engaged, enthusiastically and in numbers.In late 2010 young students left their schools and sixth form colleges to join mass demonstrations against cuts and student fees. In much of the press they were dismissed as truants, easily led and unthinking. But, whenever they were given a chance, young students showed that they had a very clear understanding of what they were protesting for. They showed the energy, drive and huge potential young people have to challenge the political status quo when they act together to assert their rights. This book looks at one particular form of young people's collective action: the school student strike. This consciously political action represents a frontal challenge to school authority and to the position of students in the education system and in society as a whole. School's Out traces the inspiring history of school student strikes of the last 100 years and looks at the lessons for today.