Abstract
ABSTRACTThis article presents research relating to the experiences of union and community-based campaigns that have sought to challenge the establishment of academy and free schools in England. Such schools are removed from local government control and are seen as a defining element of the neoliberal restructuring of public education. The research draws on social-movement literature, and particularly mobilization theory, to better understand the dynamics of such campaigns and the contexts in which they can either thrive or wither. In the article, I argue that mobilization theory provides a useful framework for such analysis but that it fails to adequately reflect the importance of individual agency and the role of leadership at a local level. Leadership of such campaigns is often assumed by individuals reluctantly, and often defies traditional descriptions of “leadership,” but must be recognized if mobilization theory is to avoid being overly deterministic.
Highlights
For over a quarter of a century England has been in the vanguard of the neoliberal restructuring of public education
Since at least the late 1980s England has provided a test bed for many of the more radical experiments in education reform (Jones, 2002; Tomlinson, 2005; Ball, 2013; Mortimore, 2014). This became apparent during the period of the 2010-2015 Coalition government during which time the pace and scale of change was unprecedented – as one senior local government official commented ‘It’s a revolution, and it’s happening ’ (Stevenson et al, 2012)
Perhaps the most substantial and far-reaching area of reform has been the promotion of academy and free schools as “independent state schools” that sit outside of the local government structures and accounting for more than half of the secondary schools in England by the time of the 2015 general election
Summary
For over a quarter of a century England has been in the vanguard of the neoliberal restructuring of public education. Following presentation of the data from a range of anti-academy campaigns I argue that mobilization theory can be over-deterministic in its analysis of collective campaigns and that greater account needs to be taken of the particular ways individual agency can shape outcomes.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
