Although the role of the teacher has been extensively explored, the role of the pupil has received very little attention in the sociology of education. This authoritative study, The Role of the Pupil (first published in 1975), is about what it means to be a school pupil, exposed to the often-conflicting expectations of teachers, parents and peers.

The author has drawn on a wide range of sociological literature to focus not only on the basic role of pupil as learner but also on other important but neglected facets of the pupil role. The pupil appears as child-to-be-socialised, as teacher's adversary, as savage-to-be-civilised, as customer, as wrong-doer. These viewpoints provide a fresh perspective on pupil relationships within and beyond the classroom. This book will be of interest to students and researchers of education and sociology.