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School governing bodies in England under pressure : the effects of socio-economic context and school performance

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James, Chris, Brammer, Stephen, Connolly, Michael, Fertig, Mike, James, Jane and Jones, Jeff. (2011) School governing bodies in England under pressure : the effects of socio-economic context and school performance. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, Vol.39 (No.4). 414 - 433. ISSN 1741-1432

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1741143211404258

Abstract

This article reports research into the nature and functioning of school governing bodies in different socio-economic and performance contexts. The research analysed 5000 responses from a national questionnaire-based survey and undertook 30 case studies of school governing. The research confirmed that school governing in England is a complex and onerous responsibility that places governing bodies under considerable pressure. The socio-economic and performance contexts can be particularly demanding additional pressures. Governing bodies interact with those contexts in a complex way which we explain using the notions of governance capital and governance agency. Governance capital is the network of individuals and their capabilities, relationships and motivations that are available for the governing of a school. It is likely to be greater for schools that: are well regarded; are in high socio-economic status settings; and have high levels of pupil attainment. These effects may add and mutually reinforce creating an ‘amplifier effect’, which may significantly impact on the governing of a school. Governance agency is the capacity of those involved in the governing of a school to act. It is significant; can ameliorate the effects of low governance capital; and complicates the relationship between governing, performance and socio-economic context.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Subjects:

L Education > L Education (General)
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education

Divisions:

Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):

School management and organization -- England, School boards -- England, Education -- Economic aspects -- England, Education -- Social aspects -- England, Academic achievement -- England

Journal or Publication Title:

Educational Management Administration & Leadership

Publisher:

Sage Publications Ltd.

ISSN:

1741-1432

Official Date:

July 2011

Dates:

Date	Event
July 2011	Published

Volume:

Vol.39

Number:

No.4

Page Range:

414 - 433

Identification Number:

10.1177/1741143211404258

Status:

Peer Reviewed

Publication Status:

Published

Access rights to Published version:

Restricted or Subscription Access

Funder:

CfBT Education Trust

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