The children of London: attendance and welfare at school 1870-1990 - 15

Lifting children out of poverty is one of the UK government's priorities.

This book tells the story of efforts by London's education services to prevent truancy and to help children benefit from going to school.

It charts for the first time the development of the school attendance service and the Care Committees, a system of volunteers providing poor children with school dinners, clothing and medical care.

Both services relied on visits to a pupil's family, creating a bridge between home and school.

In 1970, they were merged to form the Education Welfare Service.

The Children of London is set against 120 years of a unified education service for the metropolis, as well as the changing reality of Britain - the needs of children, the rise of professional society, the welfare state, and new roles for women.

Tackling wider issues such as the impact of schooling on poverty and social class, it explores these previously neglected services to raise important questions about future policy to help children in school.