The relationship between regulation and quality assurance of higher education in the United Kingdom (UK) has a long and complicated history, which contributed to the foundation of the UK Quality Assurance Agency for higher education (QAA) in 1997. After March 2023, the UK-wide QAA will stop being the Designated Quality Body (DQB) for English…

In this research informed perspective, I discuss some of the barriers students face during progression to higher education. A crucial role can be played by higher education institutions (HEIs) and other public bodies. I discuss some of the measures taken and critically evaluate these to show how these can be improved. In the absence of a…

This article reports on the role of the external adviser to school governing bodies in relation to headteacher performance management (HTPM) in England. School leaders are crucially important for the effective functioning of schools and there is an ever-growing body of inspection and research evidence which shows this to be the case--leadership…

Background: Changes in England's education policy have increased the autonomy of schools, thus substantially altering the nature of the role played by local government. Concurrently, a sharp rise in referrals to children's social care services, together with budgetary pressures, have led local authorities to seek to manage demand by emphasising…

Most countries across Europe now have their own Inspectorate as part of a school improvement and accountability system. However, there has been little research on the impact of school inspections or on the aspects of school inspections that maximise the positive effects and minimise the unintended consequences. As a precursor to further research,…

Following the establishment of Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in England and Northern Ireland in 2005, several institutions have used these to pursue specific pedagogical approaches at a strategic level, in line with and building on existing institutional strategic thinking. Technology-enhanced learning is often one of the…

Investigates the attitudes of volunteer counselors toward clients with alcohol problems and the counselors' commitment to their agencies. Results indicate the importance of role recognition by agencies in enhancing counselor attitudes toward their work; levels of experience also appears to be significant. (Author/MKA)

In this article I use the concept of "re-agenting" to explore and explain the role of non-state agencies, principally private companies and business entrepreneurs, as key instruments in the government's transformation of the school system in England. Their role takes both for-profit and not-for-profit forms. The outsourcing to private…

This chapter characterizes the educational research efforts of England and Wales as unplanned, unsystematic, and in the hands of a wide range of organizations with a variety of forms of funding. The development and activities of the Social Science Research Council, the Ministry of Education's Department of Education and Science, the Schools…

Herein are discussed the reactions of visitors to the Oxfordshire schools; the new elements common to education in all the Oxfordshire schools, including vertical grouping, "unstreaming," open education, the integrated day, and the integrated curriculum; the role of the teachers in Oxfordshire's primary schools; the role of various…

The author discusses education as an example of the new services facilitated by the centralized modern state. The author's goal is to help us understand more clearly the benefits and disadvantages of such an extension of political activity. The political impact on educational policy in England is briefly discussed. (Author/RM)

A review of the 75 year history and current activities of the Worker's Educational Association, a voluntary society for adult liberal studies and trade union courses. (SJL)

The 1984-1985 annual report of the Council for National Academic Awards in England and Scotland is presented. The Council awards degrees and other academic qualifications to students who complete approved courses of study or research in polytechnics and higher education institutions other than universities in the United Kingdom. In this capacity…

Explains the role and functions of England's Audit Commission, established in 1983 to promote proper stewardship of public finances and help public servants achieve economy, efficiency, and effectiveness. The commission's influence stems from its ability to link with other government initiatives, use of rigorous investigative methodology, and a…