Co-operatives, democracy and education: a critical reflection

This chapter offers a case study perspective of someone who has been a student at a co-operative school and is now working with other co-operative schools across England. The chapter will analyses the effects on a school before and after the adoption of co-operative structures, values and principles and will chart the ways in which both the school, and the individuals within it, including myself, were transformed through the initial development of democratic ideas and co-operative structures. On school, community and personal levels, this process has wrought significant changes. In outlining some key themes of successful co-operative schools, chapter will argues that connections need to be made between these various aspects of school organization and wider aspects of social life. Co-operative education promises to have a significant impact on improving people's lives, and it is this approach to education and learning which has the capacity to meet the needs of young people today.