The Socialist Educational Association (SEA) is a socialist educational organisation in the United Kingdom. It is affiliated to the
Labour Party as a
socialist society. It assists in the development of and monitors educational policies of the Labour Party. It aims to promote non-selective education,
equality of opportunity
Equal opportunity is a state of fairness in which individuals are treated similarly, unhampered by artificial barriers, prejudices, or preferences, except when particular distinctions can be explicitly justified. The intent is that the important ...
and lifelong availability of adequate educational provision throughout the UK. It believes in all compulsory education being free and adequately resourced. It seeks to enlist the support of the
trade union
A trade union (labor union in American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers intent on "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment", ch. I such as attaining better wages and benefits ...
and
co-operative
A cooperative (also known as co-operative, co-op, or coop) is "an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically-control ...
movements and to encourage support for a socialist vision of education amongst teaching staff.
The association was founded as the National Association of Labour Teachers in the 1920s, but grew into a broader church and was renamed the 'Socialist Educational Association'. The association is based in London
and is active in England and Wales. It is organised on a structure of branches,
each branch being loosely based on a
local education authority
Local education authorities (LEAs) were local councils in England that are responsible for education within their jurisdiction. The term was used to identify which council (district or county) is locally responsible for education in a system wit ...
area. The association has a national executive committee that meets eight times a year. This is composed of nationally elected members: officers, plus eight women and eight men; together with delegates from the branches. The association also holds an annual conference in June each year.
Caroline Benn
Caroline Middleton DeCamp Benn (13 October 1926 – 22 November 2000), formerly Viscountess Stansgate, was an educationalist and writer, and wife of the British Labour politician Tony Benn (formerly 2nd Viscount Stansgate).
Biography
Ben ...
was, for a time, the SEA president.
Former general secretaries have included Graham Lane and Malcolm Horne. Martin Dore, who served from 2008 until 2014, was succeeded by John Bolt.
Melissa Benn
Melissa Ann Benn (born 1957) is a British journalist and writer. She is the daughter of Tony Benn and Caroline Benn.
Biography
Benn was born in Hammersmith, London. She has three brothers, including Hilary Benn and Stephen Benn, 3rd Viscoun ...
is a vice president of the association. Professor Richard Pring was the association's president from 2008 until he retired from that position in June 2017. The following month, it was announced that the association's new president was to be Professor
Selina Todd
Selina Todd (born 1975) is an English historian and writer. From 2015, she has been Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford. Todd's research focuses on the history of the working-class, women and feminism in modern Britain. Since ...
of
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...
. Selina Todd was succeeded in 2022 by Professor Diane Reay of Cambridge University. Following the retirement of John Bolt as General Secretary, James Whiting was elected as his successor at the AGM held in June 2019.
Presidents
* 2008–2017: Richard Pring
* 2017–2022:
Selina Todd
Selina Todd (born 1975) is an English historian and writer. From 2015, she has been Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford. Todd's research focuses on the history of the working-class, women and feminism in modern Britain. Since ...
* 2022 - to present: Diane Reay
General Secretaries
* -2007 Malcolm Horne
* 2007-2008 Richard Sidley
* 2008–2014: Martin Dore
* 2014-2019 John Bolt
* 2019–present: James Whiting
See also
*
Labour Party (UK) affiliated trade union
In British politics, an affiliated trade union is one that is linked to the Labour Party. The party was created by the trade unions and socialist societies in 1900 as the Labour Representation Committee and the unions have retained close instit ...
*
List of organisations associated with the Labour Party (UK)
This is a list of organisations that are associated with the Labour Party. Some are official party organisations, some (like the Co-operative Party) are independent organisations, and others are organisations made up of party members which are no ...
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Comprehensive education
Labour Party (UK) socialist societies
Educational organisations based in London
Socialist organisations in the United Kingdom