The focus on achieving results and the consequences for teachers in schools in England

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper reflects on the challenges that exist for school teachers in England. The research is based on semi-structured interviews with English primary (n = 10) and secondary (n = 10) teachers. The research reveals that too much emphasis is placed on achieving successful academic results in schools in England and that the focus on the highest and lowest achievers results in the middle range learners receiving less attention than is necessary for their successful academic development. Four key themes appear from the interview data and link back to the organisational culture of primary and secondary schools in England and the consequences that this has for the practitioners who are working in these settings. The research findings reveal that primary and secondary schools in England are overly driven by examination results, and that the leadership structures of the schools are considered to be anachronistic. Moreover, there appears to be an absence of forms of education that are interpreted as being enterprising and this works against collaborative professional development. The research develops the argument that instead of emphasising the importance of results, collaborative approaches to enabling professional development for practitioners in schools are necessary.