City of London School and Communities that Care: Researching Pupil Experience to Inform Policy and Practice in the Independent Sector

This article is an account of the decision by an independent school to participate in its local Healthy Schools Scheme. One of the factors that influenced this decision was the value the school gained from a pupil survey. The same survey was used to track the impact of the school's Personal, Social and Health Education curriculum and pastoral work on pupils' experience of the school, and academic achievement. In particular, the authors explore the role of survey analysis and consultancy advice in interpreting survey results and developing school practice. The survey contributed to pupil participation in school development. The use of an external consultant as critical friend was perceived as an aid to school reflection and self-review.     

LEA support services for special educational needs provision and management

The National Foundation for Educational Research recently undertook research on the impact of delegation on local authority support services for special educational needs. This paper presents data on the provision offered by these services and the way in which they are managed. In particular, it examines how support is targeted, the extent and profile of service staff, mechanisms for the referral of pupils for support from the services, management structure, staff deployment and the professional development of service staff, and service monitoring, review and evaluation. Ways in which support services have developed in the 1990s, and their challenges for the next decade in the light of developments in the governance of education and the local policy context, are discussed.     

Meeting the Needs of Pupils who are 'Looked After'

Schools should never become complacent about the quality of care they offer their pupils. The situation described by Felicity Fletcher-Campbell illustrates the need for careful review of how the needs of every group of pupils in a school are met. A small minority of pupils are 'looked after' by the local authority. Their educational experiences are frequently as negative and traumatic as their domestic experiences. Drawing on research recently completed by the National Foundation for Educational Research, this article describes ways in which schools can support pupils who are in the care system.     

Issues of inclusion

Abstract

This article represents a meta-analysis of three research KEYWORDS projects undertaken recently at the National Foundation for Educational children in Research. The projects were discrete but resultant data showed that they care; had a common focus: ways in which schools do or might accommo-disaffection; date more effectively the needs of a range of pupils who are at risk of inclusion; being denied the opportunity to experience the ‘normality’ of the cur-special riculum offered by schools in England and Wales. The pupils whose educational experiences were studied had special educational needs, and/or were needs ‘disaffected’, and/or were in the public care. While their circumstances were, thus, ostensibly various, analysis showed that they were underpinned by a common set of needs which, unaddressed by the education system, resulted in the exclusion of the pupils. Strategies that effectively nurtured pupils’ inclusion were found to be applicable across the client group.     

Links between special schools and mainstream schools: a follow-up survey

This article reports the findings from a survey of special schools in England and Wales regarding their links with mainstream schools. This survey was a follow-up of two previous surveys undertaken in mid-1987 and 1993 respectively. Data were elicited about visits made by pupils, teachers and support assistants both from special schools to mainstream schools and from mainstream schools to the special schools. Over two-thirds of special schools in England and Wales responded, the sample reflecting the distribution of types of special schools nationally. Findings indicated that the degree of link activity has been maintained over the years but it is relatively restricted in terms of the number of pupils and staff involved, and there does not seem to be evidence of the strategic use of placements.     

Leo Dubbeldam (ed.). 1995. Values and value education

International Review of Education -