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This publication reviews major education policies in the UK over approximately the last 50 years, and describes the factors which determined the evolution of these government policies. It examines Britain as a whole and acknowledges the current departure from policy alignment between Wales and England. The central focus is on policies impacting on full-time schooling, although discussion on issues relevant to pre-school, higher education and lifelong learning is also included. The publication includes the following chapters: Why education matters; The rise and fall of the post-war consensus; From Callaghan to Major, 1976-97; Education and new labour; The changing worlds of education policy; The evolving curriculum from 5 to 14; The 14-19 continuum: issues and policies for education and training; Pre-school provision, higher education and lifelong learning; Issues of diversity equality and citizenship; Conclusion. 'The 14-19 continuum: issues and policies for education and training' focuses on policy which sought to enhance the role of vocational education and training (VET) within the educational framework for 14 to 19 year olds. This chapter details attitudes towards education for those aged 14 and above during the period 1944 to 1988 and sets the 14-19 continuum in context. The 2002 Green Paper (indexed at TD/IRD 88.170) and the reactions it provoked are reviewed, as well as the 2003 14-19 discussion document (indexed at TD/TNC 74.144). The chapter overviews this major policy development relating to VET in the UK, and positions this development in the wider context of educational policies included in this publication.