In defence of standards or an act of 'cultural barbarism'? Anthropology and histories of A-level Reform

Abstract

In this article the authors situate the demise of A-level anthropology within a longer history of policy concern with educational  'standards'. The events leading up to 2015 offer an ethnographic case through to analyse the consequences of the progressive deregulation of educational provision and the accompanying centralisation of oversight. The article reflects on the implications of this history for future relations between politicians, teachers and educationalists, and for anthropology in schools.