This paper explores important points of similarity and difference between schools and universities on three dimensions: (1) the working life and goals of participants in schools and universities; (2) the leadership and organisation of the institutions; and (3) the curriculum, teaching and learning that takes place. The aim is to discover by contrast and comparison how far these institutions are each shaped by governmental and managerial agendas and how much space remains for independent thought in school and university education. This is based on the author's personal and undoubtedly biased sample of experiences between 1968 and 2008.