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Democratised Primary School Government: policy in practice
Author(s) -
Pascal Christine
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
british educational research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.171
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1469-3518
pISSN - 0141-1926
DOI - 10.1080/0141192880140102
Subject(s) - government (linguistics) , legislation , public administration , political science , medicine , law , philosophy , linguistics
Summary The debate over democratised school government continues and is particularly pertinent at a time when legislation is proposed which aims to significantly alter the system in favour of the parent interest. This article describes a research project, undertaken in Birmingham from 1981‐1985, which investigated how a system of democratised primary school government, in which parents were prominent, was functioning after three years experience. The findings suggest that reforming governing bodies in this manner is an effective, acceptable and practicable reform. These bodies were achieving some success in liaising with, monitoring and supporting the school, but administrative and structural factors were inhibiting their influence. The system in Birmingham provides a creditable exemplar of a policy of democratised school government in practice and is able to offer a number of strategies and guidelines for those currently concerned with developing and improving policy.