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The Guardian:
Academy schools mean more competition for schools ? but must dog eat dog?

23 May 2011

The move to convert schools to academy status is underpinned by research, most recently a paper by Stephen Machin and James Vernoit of the London School of Economics, which found Labour's academies not only improved their own performance, but also raised standards in neighbouring schools.

The study found this beneficial effect happened even though high-achieving pupils started leaving neighbouring schools to attend academies.

They attribute this effect to "increased choice [and] competition and also ... the sharing of the academy school facilities and expertise with the wider community".

This article appeared in The Guardian on 23 May 2011 - link to article

Related publications:
Changing School Autonomy: Academy Schools and their Introduction to England's Education, Stephen Machin and James Vernoit, April 2011, Paper No' CEEDP0123

Academy schools: who benefits? Stephen Machin and James Vernoit, November 2010, CentrePiece Magazine : Paper No' CEPCP325

Related links:
Steve Machin's webpage
James Vernoit's webpage
Education and Skills Programme webpage

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