A Philosophy of Schooling

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

   PDF

2. Introduction: Why Care About Schools?

   • Julian Stern

   Pages 1-18

3. Schools as Communities

   • Julian Stern

   Pages 19-37

4. Learning in Dialogue

   • Julian Stern

   Pages 39-59

5. Personhood and Personalism in School

   • Julian Stern

   Pages 61-78

6. Pedagogy, Research, and Being a Curious Teacher

   • Julian Stern

   Pages 79-101

7. School Leadership: Caute in the Middle

   • Julian Stern

   Pages 103-126

8. The Sustainability of Schooling and Its Alternatives

   • Julian Stern

   Pages 127-149

9. A Curriculum for One: Overcoming Dualism

   • Julian Stern

   Pages 151-170

10. The Politics of Schooling

    • Julian Stern

    Pages 171-189

11. Back Matter

    Pages 191-235

    PDF

This book provides an optimistic account of the value and role of schooling. Schooling is a common but not universal approach to education and has need of its own distinctive justification, in contrast to other approaches such as home-based or work-based education. The book tackles and rejects the various large-scale ‘functional’ theories of schooling which continue to dominate current debates and policies, such as schooling supporting employment and the economy, or developing citizenship. Instead, it argues that schooling and schools should be viewed as places to learn community within and through community. The lived reality of relationships within schools, based on care and curiosity, is as strong as ever: and upon this foundation is built an original philosophy of schooling. This reflective book will appeal to students and scholars of philosophy of education and to all professionals concerned with schools.

• Alternative Education
• Educational Philosophy
• Community
• Value of Schooling
• Purpose of Schooling

“It discusses a number of concepts that are often used in schools, such as ‘care’, ‘community’, ‘person’ and ‘dialogue’. The value of the book is that it gives these terms substance and shows how these principles are interconnected. … the merit of his book is that it does not take for granted that schools exist, and in this way, it invites all of us to think these questions through for ourselves.” (Wouter Sanderse, British Journal of Educational Studies, November, 2018)​

• York St John University, York, United Kingdom

  Julian Stern

Julian Stern is Professor of Education and Religion at York St John University, UK. 

Policies and ethics