In ths introduction to educational poliy, practice and the professional, the authors focus first on historical policy from the state's first interventions in education through to Thatcherism, and Blair's Education, Education, Education. They then explore the key contemporary policies of recent times and offers a critique on how they have worked in practice, before moving to look at the hysteria that often surrounds education policy, with focus on media representation and the effects this has for the teaching profession. Commentaries and case studies are presented throughout providing an accessible link to what it was really like to learn, teach and live at the time the policy was in place. Essential reading for all undergraduate education studies students.