# Brian Jackson (educator)

Brian Jackson (28 December 1932 – 3 July 1983) was one of the most influential sociological educationalists of the 20th-century British . His impact on the British educational system through his books, campaigns and action research were significant ; his recognition as one of the founding fathers of the Open University; his pioneering work on the Childcare switchboard ( later to become Childline in the UK), and finally before his early death the establishment of the National children’s Centre in Huddersfield ( now Fresh Futures incorporating Brian Jackson College) educationalist. From his first experience as a primary school teacher he campaigned for the end of selective schooling, due to the impact this had on children from different backgrounds.
Brian was born in a back to back house in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire and was one of three children. He passed his 11 plus by scoring so high in the first paper due to having Scarlet Fever and missing the second . He went to Huddersfield College boys Grammar school and then after doing National Service, St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. His first job was that of a primary school teacher in a village outside Cambridge where he saw first hand the detrimental impact of streaming, and the impact of inequalities on children’s education by the age of 5.
In 1960 Brian Jackson and Michael Young created the Advisory Centre for Education. They went on to establish the National Extension College in 1963].The testing of the ‘Dawn University’ used TV for the first time as a teaching tool. NEC became a virtual college and the foundations of the Open University, as well as the University of the Third Age. Through ACE he also helped establish the first ‘ clearing house’ for all higher education to give all pupils a chance at higher education.
His strong belief in equality, in involving people and communities, and really understanding their views and needs , taking information, advice and play out to communities (for example through initiatives such as the Playbus, Education shops in town centres and Butlins holiday camps, priority inner city play groups and the Association of multi racial play groups) were the foundations of all of his work. He worked tirelessly to improve co- ordination between services,seeing the impact of gaps they left , and the need to put children at their centre - campaigning for a Minister for Children , almost 30 years before there finally was one!
In 1973 with funding from the Social Science Research Council, Brian led a ground breaking piece of research on the ‘ Educational implications of illegal child minding’, particularly focussing on West Indian children - the ‘dawnwatch’project ‘ took a week in cold December and watched from before dawn in 5 cities, working parents taking their small children to spend many hours in care from childminders who received no support, recognition or training
He founded the National Educational Research and Development Trust (NERDT) which set up the National Children's Centre in 1974 in Huddersfield. It opened its doors in 1975 in a converted tram shed in the centre of Huddersfield offering services from playgroups, home repairs to a toy library, as well as ‘ action registers ‘ on the latest research and its practical implications.The centre focussed on welcoming multicultural communities to improve the quality of life of all children.50 years later the centre , now ‘Fresh Futures’ is still thriving,and working to improve lives and inspire change and to support all young people to have opportunities for a better life now and in the future. There are also two Brian Jackson Colleges offering alternative provision for students.
Jackson campaigned tirelessly for the rights and well being of the under 5s. He was a pioneer and had a major influence on the development of significant ideas in the fields of sociology, and education- and was always focussed on their practical action.
Brian Jackson collapsed 500 yards from the finish whilst taking part in a charity five mile run in aid of the National Children's Centre on Sunday, 3 July 1983. He was given heart massage but was pronounced dead on arrival at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.He was only 50 years old but left a legacy that is still impacting children, their future well being and the education system today