Education policies should drive success and equity but in many countries they are failing to do so. Situating the cases of England and Australia within broader global policy trends, this book critically analyses what has gone wrong. Drawing on extensive research in education and reviewing the impact of current policies on teaching, learning, curriculum, leadership and assessment in schools, particularly those that benefit least from wealthy economies, the authors issue a fundamental challenge to current policy orthodoxies. This book identifies crucial policy alternatives to make education both better and fairer.