In England, governing bodies continue to be responsible for the conduct of publicly funded schools. This article compares the governing of publicly funded primary schools (for 5-11 year olds) and secondary schools (for 11-18 year olds). The research analysed policy documents and the governing of 16 primary and 14 secondary schools. The main…

The governing bodies of publicly funded schools in England are currently facing a number of substantive challenges of various kinds. Many of the challenges are long-standing, while others relate to the current context for governing wrought by recent education policy developments initiated by central government. A number of the challenges are…

Contrary to the claims of its critics, the introduction of self-managing schools under the ERA and its counterpart in other countries did not lead to the privatization of public education. Self-managing schools have been one manifestation of a general trend to decentralization in public education in many countries since the late 1960s. The…

Examines the primary school deputy headteacher's changing role following implementation of Britain's 1988 Education Reform Act. Using qualitative data from 50 schools in England and Wales, documents an ever-expanding role, accompanied by tensions between classroom teaching and wider curriculum and managerial responsibilities. Recommends limited…

The primary headteacher's role has undergone significant changes since Britain's Education Reform Act (1988). This article explores headteachers' perceptions of change resulting from their career paths, imposed legislation, and relations with key stakeholders. Many changes are contradictory and generate paradoxes. Heads manage, but are more than…

Traumatic changes wrought by Britain's 1988 Education Reform Act have transformed the headteacher's role from master teacher to manager. This finding emerges from a recent study examining the activities of eight Northern Ireland headteachers. Since current training is inadequate, a more systematic approach to administrator training, development,…

Examines academic middle managers' monitoring role in British secondary schools since implementation of the 1988 Education Reform Act, drawing on a large-scale postal survey of middle managers in three local authorities and three case-study schools. Participants acknowledge the need for monitoring colleagues' teaching, but experience departmental…

Uses findings of a national longitudinal study to examine the changing role of secondary principals in England and Wales. Explains the United Kingdom's education system, outlines the principal's role within the context of unprecedented educational change, and discusses strategies for coping with changes and balancing roles as educators and…

This paper uses the research findings of a longitudinal national study to examine the changing role of headteachers (principals) in England and Wales. The first section provides some basic information about the United Kingdom education system and a short historical perspective on the traditional role of the headteacher. Education in the United…

Gives a brief historical background of education in England and describes the effects of the Education Reform Act of 1988 to undermine the powers of local education authorities. Cites open enrollment, local management of schools, grant-maintained schools and city technology schools, teacher performance appraisals, and the national curriculum as…