Local Management Of Schools

An edited collection of papers covering the early days of the local management of schools. The book features research by economists, management theorists and education researchers, and accounts of experience by LEA officers and a primary school Deputy Head. It points to a range of critical issues deriving from paradoxes in the theoretical models underpinning the 1988 Education Reform Act.

The provisions of the 1988 Education Reform Act have given many schools the turnover and responsibilities of a medium-sized business. The Act is certainly the most important educational legislation since 1944 and local management is the key issue, requiring schools to undertake specialist functions, such as budgetting and marketing, never tackled before at the institutional level. This book introduces some of the practical issues associated with planning and implementing new functions now being devolved to school level. It will enable schools to focus on the implications of the Act and the issues it presents. It stresses the need for the whole school to meet the challenge. Each chapter looks at a different issue, including:* resource management * financial management * budgetary preparation * performance measurement * the uses of information technology * marketing and the school * the legal context * personnel management and staff selection * time management and priority setting. The book does aim to be a practical manual on local management but to provide a clear-thinking and sympathetic discussion of the urgent practical issues now facing all schools. It will be invaluable to all involved in educational management, whether in schools, local authorities, training organisations or academic life.

Since 1990, headteachers and school governors in England and Wales have had extensive powers to manage school budgets and are responsible for all of a school's resource needs including staff. As the school budget is dependent on pupil numbers and parents now have more choice over which school their children will attend, local management has had profound effects on how schools are managed and resourced. The book presents original empirical research on local management and concludes that while schools are now able to use resources more efficiently there is little evidence to support the government's claim that local management plays a key role in raising standards of teaching and learning.

This text outlines the principles of Local Financial Management (LFM) and gives an example of one school's experience of the scheme. Local Management of Schools (LMS) is also discussed with reference to the changing roles of governors and head teachers over the next few years.

Financial delegation and local management of schools is a requirement of the Education Reform Act and an area on which administrators and governors need information. This book aims to give a comprehensive guide to the issues and to cover areas (eg personnel implications) not covered by other books.