Next Big Thing in School Improvement

The book "The Next Big Thing in School Improvement" explores why the school system often resists attempts to improve it, drawing on the recent history of English education policy, disciplinary traditions, and complexity science. It offers a new take on why the school system behaves in ways that defy change and provides a better way to improve schools.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 22 October 2021
Publisher: John Catt Educational Ltd

Educational fads are a constant presence in schools, with waves of novelty promising school improvement. However, in the long term, very little actually changes. Big ideas come and go, leaving only faint clues as to their existence. The trouble is that the appealing stories that take hold will never solve the fundamental problems of modern schooling. The school system is too complex, diverse, and uncertain to be fixed by any Big Idea. Before too long, the Next Big Thing replaces the Last Big Thing.

The Next Big Thing in School Improvement brings together the unique perspectives of a policy analyst, a headteacher, and a classroom teacher to explain why the school system often resists our attempts to improve it. Drawing on the recent history of English education policy, a variety of disciplinary traditions, and the emerging field of complexity science, the authors present a new take on why the school system behaves in ways that defy our attempts to change it.

This book is not about the Next Big Thing but about finding a better way to improve our schools. It does not promise a quick fix or a silver bullet, but it does explain why there will inevitably be one, and what to do when it arrives. By understanding the underlying dynamics of the school system, we can work towards creating a more effective and sustainable educational system that benefits all students.

Weight: 266g
Dimension: 147 x 210 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913622879