In September 1942 meetings were held between representatives of the Workers' Educational Association, the Trades Union Congress, the Co-operative Union and the National Union of Teachers. It was decided to form the Council for Educational Advance with the aim of 'securing the swift passage of an Education Bill to provide full equality of educational opportunity for all children, independent of social or economic status, in order to equip them for democratic citizenship and a full and happy life.'
After the Second World War the Council went into abeyance for many years. In July 1962, at the invitation of the NUT, representatives of 54 organisations met at NUT headquarters to discuss the possibility of an intensified campaign for educational advance. After lengthy discussions a Campaign was planned and in 1963 the Campaign for Education was launched with more than 70 national organisations taking part. The stated aims of the Campaign were to see the full implementation of the 1944 Education Act, and of the recommendations of important educational reports such as the Crowther Report and the Albemarle Report. Activities were organised throughout the country, designed to make the public aware of the needs of education at all levels, of the importance of the role of education in national life and of the achievements of schools, colleges and universities, youth organisations, adult and other informal educational groups.
In 1964, the Council for Educational Advance was re-formed as a permanent successor to the successful 1963 Campaign. Nearly all the national bodies who took part in the Campaign affiliated to the Council including educational bodies, organisations of parents, the churches, women's organisations, professional organisations, trade unions and the main teachers' organisations. The Council published a declaration of aims stating that 'upon education depends the growth, freedom and happiness of every human being, the quality of our society and the wealth of the nation,' the Council's object is both to stimulate public interest in, and concern for, education and, on a non party basis, to press the needs of the education service on those responsible for the nation's affairs.
From the guide to the Papers of the Council for Educational Advance, 1940s-1990 [mainly 1962-1977], (Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick Library)
