Some of the issues arising from the amalgamation of: an administrative and managerial study

Abstract

The thesis is based on a case study of the amalgamation of two comprehensive schools in County Cleveland in response to Government demand to reduce surplus places in secondary schools. It looks at the effects of this process on school ethos, curriculum and personnel. Chapter 1 outlines the changing educational and political background to the study from the late 1970s to the present day. In Chapter 2 the various responses of four other North Eastern local authorities to the challenge of falling rolls are outlined along with that of Cleveland. Chapter 3 examines the process of amalgamation and describes the two schools before the event. Chapter 4 gives a complete curriculum analysis of these two schools and of the resulting amalgamated school in order to assess the effect on curriculum. In Chapter 5 the effect on personnel is investigated in some detail. The stress levels of staff are analysed and the reasons for this stress are examined. Methods of minimising this problem are suggested in managerial terms. Stress of pupils is assessed by looking at attendance rates, truancy and in-school vandalism. Chapter 6 presents an outline of the changes needed to cope with the new situation and looks at methods of preparation for change which could have been helpful. Chapter 7 outlines two major experiments within County Cleveland which could be viable alternatives to amalgamation, i.e. consortium and cluster arrangements. The final chapter attempts to sum up the whole process and outcome of the amalgamation and considers what better preparation might be made should further contraction occur.