My former colleague Denis Lawton, who has died aged 91, had a 40-year career at the Institute of Education in London, where he established its department of curriculum studies.
Eventually he became director of the institute, bringing greater democracy to its decision-making and securing royal charter status for the organisation, guaranteeing its future as an independent school of the University of London. He also wrote 14 books and many academic papers, including on the history and politics of education, and chaired various national committees and examination boards.
