This text maps out the professional, political and theoretical landscape of reflective practice, its nature and purposes and the claims being made for it. The book aims to bring together two central aspects of educational improvement: the power that teachers have to appraise, understand and transform their practice; and the bigger picture and the structures that serve to imprison and liberate practice. The authors centre their text on a model of the teacher as a reflective learner, with enlightenment and empowerment as central themes. A core professional textbook for undergraduate and PGCE students on initial teacher training programmes, it will also interest practising teachers, teacher educators and those on continuing professional development courses.