A new book said that schools that took research seriously – both their own and published studies – were less likely to accept edicts from central bodies and more likely to trust their own judgment.
Source: Raphael Wilkins, Research Engagement for School Development, Institute of Education (University of London)
Links: IOE press release
Date: 2011-Nov
An audit report said that the financial management capability of schools in England had improved. However, many headteachers had no personal experience of leading a school during a period of financial constraint: it was essential that the financial management framework for schools was capable of alerting central government to any systemic issues that might require action or intervention.
Source: Oversight of Financial Management in Local Authority Maintained Schools, HC 1517 (Session 2010-2012), National Audit Office, TSO
Links: Report | NAO press release | NUT press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Public Finance report
Date: 2011-Oct
A report examined what information parents wanted from their schools and how they wanted to access it. It recommended that Information on teaching quality, behaviour, and progress held by schools, local authorities, the schools inspectorate, and local government should be shared in a standardized, accessible way; that schools should be obliged to provide more than an annual report of pupil progress; and that schools should consider 'safe' ways of sharing the views of parents and pupils on a wide range of issues within the school and wider communities.
Source: Fiona Millar and Gemma Wood, A New Conversation with Parents: How can schools inform and listen in a digital age?, Pearson Centre for Policy and Learning/Family Lives
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Sep
An article examined an alternative approach to the democratization of governance in local school systems at neighbourhood and local authority levels, in the context of conflicting class interests.
Source: Richard Hatcher, 'The struggle for democracy in the local school system', FORUM: for promoting 3-19 comprehensive education, Volume 53 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Aug
A report for the equal rights watchdog examined the ways in which schools in England and Wales were carrying out and implementing their statutory duties in relation to equality, and identified examples of good practice.
Source: Graham Bukowski, Hazel Roberts, Jen Fraser, and Fiona Johnson, The Equality Duties and Schools, Research Report 70, Equality and Human Rights Commission
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jun
The government began consultation on a new schools admissions code in England, designed to make the process 'simpler, fairer and more transparent for all parents'. Proposals included increasing the number of 'good school' places available by making it easier for popular schools to take more pupils, and banning local authorities from using area-wide lotteries. The consultation also asked whether academies and free schools should be able to prioritize children receiving the pupil premium.
Source: Consultation on the Changes to the Admissions Framework, Department for Education
Links: Consultation document | DE press release | ASCL press release | Labour Party press release | NAHT press release | NASUWT press release | NUT press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2011-May
A new book examined the nature of successful school leadership – what it was, what it looked like in practice, and what the consequences were for schools and pupils.
Source: Christopher Day et al., Successful School Leadership: Linking with learning and achievement, Open University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-May
The inspectorate for education and children's services highlighted the importance of school governing bodies that clearly understood their roles and responsibilities; built productive relationships with school leaders; knew their schools well; and had regard to the views of parents, pupils, and the wider community.
Source: School Governance: Learning from the Best, HMI 100238, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills
Links: Report | OFSTED press release
Date: 2011-May
Researchers reviewed the existing model of accountabilities in school governance, and considered alternative models. The stakeholder model was viewed as the most appropriate model of school governance, although it was recognized as needing some improvements to ensure flexibility and fitness for purpose in the context of greater school autonomy.
Source: Tami McCrone, Clare Southcott, and Nalia George, Governance Models in Schools, National Foundation for Educational Research
Date: 2011-Apr
The inspectorate for education and children's services examined how effectively the partnership between parents and schools in England had developed. All the schools visited valued the key role of parents in their children s education: but they put this into effect in different ways, with very varied quality and outcomes.
Source: Schools and Parents, HMI 100044, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Apr
An article examined accountability in school-based education in England, and the sanctions associated with each type of accountability. The existing regime in England was heavily focused on hierarchical and market accountability. A greater focus on participative and network accountability might foster a less individualistic approach to education and greater social cohesion.
Source: Anne West, Paola Mattei, and Jonathan Roberts, 'Accountability and sanctions in English schools', British Journal of Educational Studies, Volume 59 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Mar
A report by a committee of MSPs said that there was little appetite in Scotland for any of the more radical alternatives for the reform of school funding and management: but real improvements could be made by concentrating on maximizing the quality of teaching and of leadership in schools.
Source: Report on Local Authority Funding of Education and Children's Services and the Future of Schools Management in Scotland, 6th Report 2011, SP Paper 631, Scottish Parliament Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Mar
An article examined admissions criteria and practices used by English secondary schools in 2001 and 2008, in the light of changes to legislation and the regulatory context. Notwithstanding some positive impacts, further changes could make the admissions process easier for parents/carers and enhance equality of educational opportunity.
Source: Anne West, Eleanor Barham, and Audrey Hind, 'Secondary school admissions in England 2001 to 2008: changing legislation, policy and practice', Oxford Review of Education, Volume 37 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Feb
