GCT Giles
Granville Charles Trelawney Giles (9 May 1891 – 30 October 1976), known as GCT Giles, was a leading British communist, most famous for playing a central role in the evacuation of three million children to the countryside during World War II, and for playing a prominent role in the formation of Britain's post-war educational reforms. Despite being educated at both Eton College and the University of Cambridge, he was a supporter of the comprehensive school system, fighting for the rights of working-class children and teachers. He was also the first communist to be appointed president of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), and headed a school which following his retirement became one of Britain's first comprehensive schools.
GCT Giles | |
|---|---|
| Born | Granville Charles Trelawney Giles 9 May 1891 |
| Died | 30 October 1976 (aged 85) |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Eton College University of Cambridge |
| Occupation(s) | Teacher, officer in the British army, journalist |
| Known for | Leading British communist. Leading British educational activist. Playing a central role in the evacuation of children during WWII. First communist to become president of the National Union of Teachers |
| Notable work | The New School Tie (1946) |
| Political party | Labour (until 1926) CPGB (1926–1976) |
Giles became a communist after visiting the Soviet Union in 1925. He joined the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) during the 1926 United Kingdom general strike, and would remain a lifelong member. Later in life, he became the target of anti-communist witch-hunts, which led him to lose his position temporarily on the executive of the NUT. Despite suffering from political persecution, he made a significant contribution to British educational policy, directly influencing the pattern of educational reform in the period immediately following World War II, and greatly improving the working conditions of British teachers.