Abstract

Reforming or Re-inventing Schools? revisits some of the key issues in school and system reform, offering an insightful review and critique of education principles and practice. It explores some of the myths as well as the potential value of comparative data. Drawing on new evidence and interviews with policy makers and academics on the British and international stages, the authors ask:

• What do parents, children and ‘society’ want from an education system? • What motivates teachers to join the profession and why do such large numbers leave so soon? • What are the roots of misunderstanding and mismanagement in provision, support and accountability? • How do teachers communicate, support and exchange ideas with each other? • How do we measure positive change? • How good is our education system in comparison to innovative development taking place elsewhere in the rest of the world?

John MacBeath and John Bangs will be reflecting on the changes that have taken place in education practice and policy since the publication of their first book Reinventing Schools Reforming Teaching ten years ago. They will not only cover developments in the UK but changes which have taken place internationally.

An introduction to the book, its relevance for school leadership, classroom practice and policy making will be addressed by Sir Alasdair Macdonald. As headteacher of Morpeth School in Tower Hamlets he remained faithful to his staff and pupils over a 21 year period in which pupil attainment rose significantly. The school was rated as ‘outstanding’, featuring in the London Evening Standard’s first ever ‘Most improved School’.