''A Language for Life'', better known as the ''Bullock Report'', was a UK government report published in 1975 by an independent committee, chaired by

Alan Bullock Alan Louis Charles Bullock, Baron Bullock, (13 December 1914 – 2 February 2004) was a British historian. He is best known for his book '' Hitler: A Study in Tyranny'' (1952), the first comprehensive biography of Adolf Hitler, which influence ...

, set up by the government to consider the teaching of language. Its primary recommendation was that "every secondary school should develop a policy for language across the curriculum". The Bullock report also called for a re-examination of the debate into what English was, how it should be taught and what needs to be covered. This went on to produce th
Cox Report 1989
and the

National Curriculum A national curriculum is a common programme of study in schools that is designed to ensure nationwide uniformity of content and standards in education. It is usually legislated by the national government, possibly in consultation with state or other ...

for English followed.An overview commentary on the Bullock Report is provided by: Se
http://www.encyclopedia.com
The Bullock Report had a major influence on the thinking of English teachers in the second half of the 1970s and early 1980s; but it was moved to the background by less optimistic and humanistic influences, and the greater emphasis on employability of the Thatcher years. It still makes powerful reading.

Terms of Reference

The committee of inquiry was set-up in 1972 by

Margaret Thatcher Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (; 13 October 19258 April 2013) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the first female British prime ...

, the then

Secretary of State for Education The secretary of state for education, also referred to as the education secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, responsible for the work of the Department for Education. The incumbent is a member of the C ...

Ted Heath Sir Edward Richard George Heath (9 July 191617 July 2005), often known as Ted Heath, was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1970 to 1974 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1965 to 1975. Heath a ...

's Conservative

government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government is ...

following the earlier publication of a report by the

National Foundation for Educational Research The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) is an educational research organisation which gathers evidence and research to inform educational policy and school services. The foundation is not an examination board, however they provi ...

(NFER) entitled '''The Trend of Reading Standards'''.

was appointed the chairman and the committee was given the following brief:-

'''To consider in relation to schools:'' # ''all aspects of teaching the use of English, including reading, writing, and speech;'' # ''how present practice might be improved and the role that initial and in-service training might play;'' # ''to what extent arrangements for monitoring the general level of attainment in these skills can be introduced or improved;'' ''and to make recommendations.'''

References

*The Bullock Report: The Coming of the Age of Democracy, by W. B. Creighton 1977 Cardiff University. * Teaching for literacy : reflections on the Bullock report, by F. R. Davis, & R.P. Parker 1978 Ward Lock Pubs. * Education in the United Kingdom 1975 in the United Kingdom Reports of the United Kingdom government 1975 documents {{UK-poli-stub