Education
Gender roles
Did the end of the Second World War lead to shift in the balance of power between men and women?
War on the giants
Bevan's NHS is perhaps the best-known, but the Beveridge report resulted in many social advances and the birth of the welfare state.
Related programme
The changes in state education after the war opened up new opportunities.
The post-war period was significant for the education of Britain’s schoolchildren.
The 1944 Education Act established the principle of free education for all and created the tripartite system of secondary schools: grammar, secondary technical and secondary modern.
Self-motivated adults who wished to improve themselves could find opportunities in the numerous evening classes and correspondence courses.
The local Technical Colleges (or “Techs”) provided a variety of courses, including freelance writing. For Hazel, this would prove an important means of fulfilling her ambitions, as it was for others like her.
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HAZEL
I've been living with my mother and my stepfather since my Dad died.
GRANVILLE
Get on alright?
HAZEL
If I could afford to move out, I would. I work in the despatch department at David Brown’s, but the money’s hopeless. [FADE TO]
GRANVILLE
You meet different people in my line. Some are nicer than others, of course. Have you got a hobby?
HAZEL
I used to want to be an artist, but I’ve taken up writing, actually. I’m doing a course at the Tech.
GRANVILLE
What d’you write about?
HAZEL
Anything and everything. I’m not much good at the moment, but I keep trying.
Content last updated: 17/02/2009
