‘Indentured autonomy’ : Headteachers and academisation policy in Northern England
Journal article
Thompson, Greg, Lingard, Bob and Ball, Stephen J.. (2021). ‘Indentured autonomy’ : Headteachers and academisation policy in Northern England. Journal of Educational Administration and History. 53(3-4), pp. 215-232. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220620.2020.1850433
Authors | Thompson, Greg, Lingard, Bob and Ball, Stephen J. |
---|---|
Abstract | The academisation of schooling in Northern England is an example of a new mode of educational governance that promises greater autonomy for schools and school leaders. A common claim regarding the benefits of academisation is that it will improve student outcomes by delivering greater autonomy for Headteachers. In this paper, six Headteachers from Northern England, who had decided to academise their schools for various reasons, reflect on this promised autonomy. We develop the concept of ‘indentured autonomy’ (an outcome of negotiating autonomy, continued precariousness and cruel optimism) to explain how these Headteachers’ initial optimism for the academies programme has given way to the concern that they are probably less autonomous now than what they were previously. Paradoxically, these HTs still express a desire for autonomy, even as they reflect that the promised autonomy has not delivered what they had hoped. |
Keywords | school autonomy; academy schools; responsibilisation |
Year | 2021 |
Journal | Journal of Educational Administration and History |
Journal citation | 53 (3-4), pp. 215-232 |
Publisher | Routledge |
ISSN | 0022-0620 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/00220620.2020.1850433 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85096575136 |
Open access | Published as green open access |
Page range | 215-232 |
Funder | Australian Research Council (ARC) |
Author's accepted manuscript | License File Access Level Open |
Publisher's version | License All rights reserved File Access Level Controlled |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 24 Nov 2020 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 09 Nov 2020 |
Deposited | 19 May 2021 |
ARC Funded Research | This output has been funded, wholly or partially, under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 |
Grant ID | DP170103647 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8w179/-indentured-autonomy-headteachers-and-academisation-policy-in-northern-england
Download files
Author's accepted manuscript
AM_Thompson_2021_Indentured_autonomy_Headteachers_and_academisation_policy.pdf | |
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
Restricted files
Publisher's version
134
total views33
total downloads0
views this month0
downloads this month