More than a biography of Mary Medd (née Crowley), one of the foremost Modernist architects in the UK, this book critically examines her innovative designs for school buildings in post-war Britain. In doing so, it provides a detailed exploration of the relationships between architects, educators, artists and designers in shaping a new approach to designing for education.

Dr Catherine Burke is an historian and senior lecturer in education at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge. She has researched Mary Medd's life and travels since the architect's death in 2005, while at the same time engaging with architects designing schools today to bring about a better understanding of the history of the subject. Other related publications include The School I'd Like (2003) and School (2008) both with Ian Grosvenor.

Contents: Foreword, Dominic Cullinan; Preface, David Leslie Medd; Introduction; Childhood and education 1907-1927; Study and travel 1920s-1930s; First architectural work: from housing to education; Partnerships and networks; The schools; Evolution of the design process 'from the inside out'; International travel and exchange 1949-1972; In retirement; Towards the 'future-building school'. Lasting legacies of design and democratic practice; Conclusion: telling the quiet stories of educational design; Appendices; References; Index.