Teaching in England Post-1988: Reflections and Career Histories

The research focuses on the perspectives of teachers nearing the end of their working lives and the career-length studies on the changes in England over the past few decades. Joan Woodhouse explores the career-histories and reflections of teachers and how their teaching practices and approach to their work were impacted by the ever-evolving landscape. The insights are critical to understanding this era of reform directly from those who have experienced and implemented the changes. Teaching in England Post-1988 provides new understandings of an under-researched group, raises questions about why teachers remained in the profession, and presents a conceptual model explaining career-long teachers' longevity. It is essential reading for educational researchers and teacher educators.

Format: Hardback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 02 October 2023
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

The lack of research on the perspectives of teachers nearing the end of their careers and the limited career length studies on the changes in England over the past few decades is a significant gap in understanding the teaching profession. In 1988, a substantive policy shift began with the Education Reform Act, and since then, there has been an unprecedented pace and rate of policy changes. Joan Woodhouse's book, Teaching in England Post-1988, delves into the career histories and reflections of teachers, shedding light on how their teaching practices and approach to work have been impacted by the ever-evolving landscape of education reform.

The insights provided in this book are crucial for understanding this era of reform directly from those who have experienced and implemented the changes. Through in-depth interviews with teachers, Teaching in England Post-1988 offers a unique perspective on an under-researched group, providing valuable insights into the experiences of implementing reform in schools. It raises important questions about why teachers chose to remain in the profession, despite facing significant pressures and many of their peers choosing to quit before retirement age.

The book presents a conceptual model that explains career-long teachers' longevity, providing context for current and future governments to develop policy and strategies to reverse the trend of attrition and address the much-discussed teacher and headteacher shortage. This is essential reading for educational researchers, teacher educators, and policymakers alike, as it contributes to our understanding of the teaching profession and the challenges it faces in the 21st century.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803825106