The first years of the 20th century saw an intriguing partnership between two high-profile figures in elementary education. Between them they offered a tantalising progressive vision for primary schooling. Harriet Johnson gained followers for Sompting School as far away as the USA and Japan, and the chief inspector of elementary schools, Edmond Holmes, was so enthusiastic that he lost no opportunity to visit and to write about the school in the most glowing terms. For separate reasons, largely unconnected with the school and its work, the careers of both were cut short and their messages were soon almost completely forgotten.