The massive expansion of teacher training in the 1960s was followed by drastic contraction in the public sector in the 1970s, with considerable diversification and closure of colleges. Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses still recruited well and were valued by institutions, PGCE primary/middle courses continuing to be initiated in both the university and public sectors. The last decade saw public institutions training more PGCE students than the universities, the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA) increasing (if limitedly) its validation of teaching courses, a greatly increased central direction of teacher education, and a continuing scrutiny of teacher education, with considerable organizational, content and methodological changes ensuing. 1This is the second of two articles on the history of PGCE courses for teachers of younger children. The first was published in this journal, 9; 3, pp. 279–90, with the title ‘Origins and expansion of PGCE primary courses in England and Wales ...