Schools in England: Structures, Teachers and Evaluation

Since 1988 the English school system has been changed by a number of market based reforms. A paper prepared for the Italian audience by three scholars of the London School of Economics describes its strengths and flaws.

A._Challen_-_S._Machin_-_S._McNally__Schools_in_England_-_FGA_WP1.pdf

The paper describes and analyses the key salient features and modes of operation of the English schooling system.  It is an interesting system to study since many (often market based) reforms have taken place in the last twenty years or so. After a short description of the nature of English schooling and reforms, the paper focuses on (1) the impact of reforms on teaching and teachers’ careers and wages, and (2) the modes of evaluation and accountability that operate within the system. The review makes it evident that English schooling has changed significantly in the recent past and that this dynamic of change is likely to continue into the future.