How much have teachers and their pupils benefitted from the top-down Westminster-led control of policy held in place by a powerful national inspection regime? A Generation of Radical Educational Change: Stories from the Field is an exploration of the revolutionary impact of the greater and continuing involvement of central government in education policy-making which began in 1976 and was accelerated by the 1988 Education Act and subsequent legislation. In the book, a dozen distinguished contributors from a wide range of sectors explain and reflect on how they worked to do their best for their schools, teachers and pupils in these years of great change. They understand the reasons, explained by Lord Baker in his early chapter, for a National Curriculum in 1988, and also the reasons for a more effective national inspection system. Yet their stories accumulate to become a powerful critique of the top-down policies of the last two decades. These policies have been too numerous, short-term, incoherent and partisan; governments have been indifferent to professional opinion and serious research, and have relied excessively on measurable outcomes and simplistic Ofsted judgments. Our current system is narrower and less democratic than it was, but evidence is hard to find that English pupils are doing any better in international comparisons. The combined reflections in this volume are timely in these years of lively educational debate as are the suggestions for future policy. A Generation of Radical Educational Change is an invaluable read for current and aspiring headteachers, policy makers and those with an interest in education policy and how it evolves.

This best-selling book takes a practical look at how improvements can be made in any school. It cuts through the jargon of the specialist and shows how ideas and intentions can be turned into direct actions that will help a school improve its performance and effectiveness. As well as addressing headteachers and governors, the book will also provide invaluable guidance for all those who work in and with schools. There are chapters on: *effective schools and how they have achieved their goals *leadership within schools *teaching and learning effectively *making critical interventions to secure improvement *how schools involve others to aid improvement. This is a book that no school will want to be without. It is essential reading for anyone involved in education. Tim Brighouse is Chief Education Officer for Birmingham City Council and is a national figure in education. David Woods is a Senior Education Adviser at the DfEE.

This best-selling book takes a practical look at how improvements can be made in any school.
It cuts through the jargon of the specialist and shows how ideas and intentions can be turned into direct actions that will help a school improve its performance and effectiveness.
As well as addressing headteachers and governors, the book will also provide invaluable guidance for all those who work in and with schools.
There are chapters on:
*effective schools and how they have achieved their goals
*leadership within schools
*teaching and learning effectively
*making critical interventions to secure improvement
*how schools involve others to aid improvement.
This is a book that no school will want to be without. It is essential reading for anyone involved in education.

Tim Brighouse is Chief Education Officer for Birmingham City Council and is a national figure in education. David Woods is a Senior Education Adviser at the DfEE.

How much have teachers and their pupils benefitted from the top-down Westminster-led control of policy held in place by a powerful national inspection regime? A Generation of Radical Educational Change: Stories from the Field is an exploration of the revolutionary impact of the greater and continuing involvement of central government in education policy-making which began in 1976 and was accelerated by the 1988 Education Act and subsequent legislation. In the book, a dozen distinguished contributors from a wide range of sectors explain and reflect on how they worked to do their best for their schools, teachers and pupils in these years of great change. They understand the reasons, explained by Lord Baker in his early chapter, for a National Curriculum in 1988, and also the reasons for a more effective national inspection system. Yet their stories accumulate to become a powerful critique of the top-down policies of the last two decades. These policies have been too numerous, short-term, incoherent and partisan; governments have been indifferent to professional opinion and serious research, and have relied excessively on measurable outcomes and simplistic Ofsted judgments. Our current system is narrower and less democratic than it was, but evidence is hard to find that English pupils are doing any better in international comparisons. The combined reflections in this volume are timely in these years of lively educational debate as are the suggestions for future policy. A Generation of Radical Educational Change is an invaluable read for current and aspiring headteachers, policy makers and those with an interest in education policy and how it evolves.

Politicians, priests, generals and football managers have all long known the value of a good quotation or a stirring comment that really gets people motivated. Teachers know this too: think of Assembly, where a head teacher is trying to get a positive message across to young minds, but can't quite find the words. Well, now teachers can find those words with this uplifting book of quotations and commentaries that will allow educators to wax lyrical and motivate those around them. The motivation behind this books is noble "To unlock the minds and open the shut chambers of the hearts" of pupils.

Through revealing interviews with most of the main protagonists in education since the Ruskin speech of Jim Callaghan in 1976, including nearly all Secretaries of State, Sir Tim Brighouse and Mick Waters explore several revolutions in state education. In doing so they extract what we can learn from the observations gleaned and assess where we should go from here to enable teachers and schools to raise the competence, learning and horizons of each and every one of their students, whatever their talents,challenges, advantages or problems. Tim and Mick have both spent a lifetime in state-provided education - first as pupils, then as teachers, and finally in various leadership and policymaking positions, both in and out of schools. About Our Schools is born out of their shared love for education and their appreciation of how schooling can be a transformative element in the lives of children and young people.

'I recommend the book as an inspiration to those who are looking for the words that express what they may already do (or will do in the future!) for these well known writers have world wide experience in recognising and knowing what it is that makes the passionate leader' - International Journal of Educational Management 'This is a very interesting collection of chapters on leadership...Each chapter is written with verve and conviction, and it makes quite stimulating reading' - Curriculum Perspectives 'Passionate Leadership is a fantastic book by leading thinkers and doers in the education field. It takes moral purpose to new levels, and above all it puts passion in perspective. The book shows that it is not passion by itself that counts but in combination with strategies, insights and daily wisdom. Above all this is a book of action , not rhetoric.' - Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus, OISE/University of Toronto and Special Adviser on Education to the Premier of Ontario 'How opportune that Brent Davies and Tim Brighouse have produced a book on "Passionate Leadership". As school leaders are becoming increasingly disillusioned with instrumental forms of educational reform, Davies, Brighouse and their contributors offer a new vision of leadership one that is driven by a belief that teaching is about enabling every child to reach their potential, and a conviction that schools should be places filled with joy and optimism in the pursuit of social justice. This inspiration will encourage all our leaders to take their work to a new level.' - Professor David Hopkins, HSBC iNet Chair of International Leadership, Formerly the Chief Adviser to three Secretary of States In this book, internationally recognized writers on leadership explore what makes leaders passionate about their role and their schools. The contributors show that leadership must move on from the realm of a role or job towards an energy and commitment for enhancing children's learning and children's lives. They maintain that passion must be the driving force that moves vision into action, through a range of chapters from internationally known contributors Brent Davies, Tim Brighouse, Geoff Southworth, Chris Day, John MacBeath, Andy Hargreaves, John Novak, Brain Caldwell, and Alan Flintham. What sustains and drives leaders to achieve in a changing and challenging educational environment? What maintains their passion for education and children's achievement? This book seeks to answer these questions. The book is essential for all students on leadership programs and educational professionals looking to achieve self and organisational improvement.

Strategies for Closing the Learning Gap has been written as a practical companion to the hugely successful Closing the Learning Gap. In this, his fourth book, Mike Hughes attempts to translate the explosion in our understanding of how the brain works into practical strategies that will work in the classroom. The book: highlights some of the key issues emerging from recent discoveries about the brain simplifies them; offers practical strategies and ideas as to how to apply this research in the classroom; The strategies described have been:; written by teachers for teachers; successfully implemented and refined in the classroom; effective in increasing motivation, improving learning and raising attainment

There is universal interest in the 'good school'. Parents want to find one, teachers seek to teach in one and children deserve to attend one. This book makes the assumption that success is possible in every school. The authors have selected material from the original book, "What Makes A Good School?", adding many new ideas from their extensive work on school improvement over the last 15 years, set in the context of the many changes and new agendas that are a feature of schools today.

Raising Boys' Achievement explores the causes of boys' underachievement and moves on to suggest tried-and-tested strategies to raise standards of achievement. The book encourages and challenges teachers to devise solutions based on research with their individual boys, and not to rely too heavily on commonly-held broad generalisations. What the book covers Action research in schools: provides practical suggestions which teachers can use in their lessons. Examples of good practice: provides 'real' solutions and case studies to support the planning and implementation of strategies to raise achievement. Ideas for reflection and training: provides stimulus materials and research findings to inform a wide range of school-based activity. The school effectiveness series Raising Boys' Achievement is the sixth book in the school effectiveness series, which focuses on practical and useful ideas for schools and individual teachers. It addresses the issues of whole school improvement and new knowledge about teaching and learning and offers straightforward solutions which teachers can use to make life more rewarding for those they teach.

This book explores what effective teaching is and offers a range of practical suggestions and handy tips for new entrants. What the book covers: Practical suggestions for lesson activities: provides practical suggestions which teachers can easily incorporate into their own lessons A sensible approach to developing classroom practice: for individuals, departments and whole schools. Help for teachers, INSET providers and trainers: with responsibility for developing classroom practice. The School Effectiveness Series: Lessons are for Learning is the fourth title in a new series of books which focus on practical and useful ideas for individual schools and teachers. The series addresses the issues of whole school improvement and new knowledge about teaching and learning and offers straightforward solutions which teachers can use to make life more rewarding for themselves and those they teach.

This is not a book about the school system as a whole or how governments can help or hinder school improvement. It is a book about supporting and inspiring leaders and teachers to help schools achieve ever greater success. By combining their extensive experience and knowledge of leading and improving schools, Tim Brighouse and David Woods deliver an authoritative and up-to-date overview of the principles of school improvement detailing the wide range of information, ideas and practices schools need to understand in order to be the best they possibly can. This comprehensive, dip-in A-Z guide introduces the characteristics, approaches and language of school improvement in 138 eclectic and engaging entries, including appreciative enquiry, literacy and student voice. The authors' unending supply of real school stories and experiences are the basis for the quotations, case studies and 'butterflies' (little ideas with big impact) that illustrate the entries and bring them to life. The A-Z of School Improvement is essential reading for any school leader, teacher or governor serious about improving their school, or indeed any parent eager to understand the ways in which their children's schools can be improved.