An experience at Cradley High School, West Midlands

Abstract

This work contains three main aspects of Educational Administration and Management. The first chapter deals with the first aspect. It starts by introducing the British Educational System since the enactment of the Education Act in 1944. Since then schools have been expected to alter their roles to keep up with demands created by rapid changes in society in Britain to-day. Two main trends in Education could be felt during my stay there. They are briefly mentioned here. The chapter ends by explaining as concisely as possible the framework of educational administration in England and Wales without which much of what follows is difficult to understand. Chapter Two introduces Cradley High School to the reader. It gives a general idea of what the school looks like in size, buildings and its surroundings. Aims and objectives are stated as well as general information is given about the curriculum, personal and social education, sex education, fieldwork, discipline and the school uniform. The third chapter is a breakdown of the structure of the school together with job descriptions for various posts. Considering the aim of the whole exercise, managerial aspects such as the process of decision making, the management policy of the school, the structure of the committee network, the power and authority of the Board of Governors, the roles of the deputy heads, counsellor and other members involved in middle management are emphasized. Chapter Four continues to explain how faculties and departments of various subjects are run. Whilst Chapter Five deals with other managerial issues such as classification, timetabling, the option exercise, the technical vocational educational initiative, links with other educational establishments, record keeping and staff development all of which directly or indirectly influence the actual running of the school. Finally, Chapter Six describes the school as a community centre. Such use of the school building could create management responsibilities. These may be indirect and negative in many cases -- such as those mentioned in this chapter as well as direct and positive some of which are also put down. The third aspect of this presentation lies in comparisons with the local scene and comments made throughout.