Originally published in 1991, First Episodes: Pupil Careers in the Early Years of School is based on a four-year longitudinal study of pupils from two different catchment areas from the first days of their entry to primary school. Using qualitative methodologies of depth interviewing and ‘naturalistic’ observation, it attempts to examine the social construction of pupil careers in the dynamics of classroom life. Particular attention has been given to the longitudinal and continuing process in the formation of pupils over the first four years of schooling, especially in looking at the moment-by-moment processes of formulation as episode follows episode in the rapid flow of classroom life. It is suggested that teachers operate fundamental distinctions between ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ pupils and, in the ongoing processes of classroom life, a distinction between the episodic and the trans-episodic in their constructions of reality. Central to the analysis has been the notions of ‘relativity’ in the placement of boundaries in interpersonal relations. It is suggested that the casting of pupils within the framework of role (i.e. Other-role) is a central process at both episodic and trans-episodic levels.

The book recommends a move away from the more usual notion of rule-transgression and its related ‘societal reactions’ so prominent in the literature on deviance. It is suggested that it is the role rather than the rule which is critical to the perception of deviation and the formulation of pupils in early schooling. In looking for temporal processes of ‘emergence’ it is suggested that there is continuing tension between the episodic and the trans-episodic in teachers’ formulation of children. It seems the construction of present reality as having continuity or discontinuity with previous ‘realities’ is critical.

Stephen Battersby is a freelance environmental health and housing consultant and fellow of the CIEH and RSPH. He is a past president of the CIEH and currently vice president. He has chaired the Pro Housing Alliance. ARCHIVE UK (Architecture for Health in Vulnerable Environments) and Generation Rent (the National Tenants Organisation). Currently he chairs the Committee of Management of the National Code of Standards for larger student developments. His research interests include housing conditions and health (housing as a social determinant of health); the use and enforcement of legislation to secure healthful housing; and urban rodent infestations and public health. He is also the current Editor of Clay’s Handbook of Environmental Health – the standard environmental health textbook.

In 2014 he was awarded an MBE in the Birthday Honours List for services to Environmental Health.

John Pointing is a barrister practising in environmental health law. His practice includes advising and representing local authorities, central government, commercial clients and private individuals. He is the Legal Partner of Statutory Nuisance Solutions, a firm he set up with David Horrocks in 2010.

Since 1992, he has run courses for the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and for local authorities on a wide range of issues, including statutory nuisance, food safety and health and safety. From 2003 to 2013 he was a senior lecturer in law at Kingston University. He is a visiting lecturer at several universities and an external examiner at De Montfort University for environmental law and food law.

He is co-author (with Rosalind Malcolm) of the leading text on statutory nuisance law: Statutory Nuisance Law and Practice, 2nd ed., 2011 and Food Safety Enforcement, 2005. Since 2003 he has been interested in issues affecting the Muslim community, particularly those to do with fake Halal and food crime.