Teaching in perspective

Your Child's Primary School wid Your Child's Comprehensive School by Maureen O'Connor (Pan Books, 75p each) Child education these days is a complex and confusing scene to most of us. There is much emotion, some prejudice -not a clear trail at all for any family to follow. • Pan Books has brought out two concise, sensible and informative guides, which put the whole situation in perspective. These are fine reference books compiled by a painstaking researcher who knows her job: each is a handbook arid companion deserving of a place on every parent's bookshelf.
An editor in educational publication, with a sound reporting background and two sons, ' Maureen O'Connor has covered every possible query which could arise when considering the formal, systematic education of a child.
Her works cover the legal aspects, scope for the handicapped, creative, left-handed or maladjusted child. They include Tele tionship with teachers, problems at each age and stage, changing over schools, inspectors, modern . teaching methods and out-of-school activities,
The report begins with nursery schools, putting no pressure or pull on any reader, but simply stating the facts. It goes on through the two books to further education, with a chapter on the home which puts emphasis firmly on the need for a good one.
There is much detail of relevant organisations and more reference books, which makes these handy-size paperbacks both compact and invaluable.