[2] He trained as a teacher at the Institute of Education, University of London, before taking up at teaching post at Dame Alice Owen's School, Islington, until he joined World War II in 1940.

[3] Duane took charge of Howe Dell in 1949, and implemented a democratic multi-racial progressive policy which rejected corporal punishment.

[3] Duane's policies were criticised by the authoritarian head of the school governors and he was faced with an inadequate building and pupils with varying levels of education.

Duane faced further criticisms after he was appointed a Justice of the Peace and nominated as a Labour Party candidate in the local elections.

Duane introduced a non-authoritarian programme of pastoral care, pupil democracy, frank sex education, close co-operation with parents, promotion of creativity and multi-culturalism.

[6] The school received an hostile inspection report which recommended the reintroduction of corporal punishment and expulsion, but Duane refused.

The papers of Michael Duane are held in the Archives of the Institute of Education, University of London and a full catalogue is available on-line.