Choice of INSET in the LEA, GM and Independent Sectors: is a market at work?

ABSTRACT

This article provides a comparative analysis of INSET provision in a random sample of schools in the LEA, GM and Independent sectors, in the North and the Midlands of England. It was conducted by means of questionnaires, with a view to ascertaining whether the market determines what In‐service is chosen by schools; whether there exists greater choice of areas covered and length of course; and whether there is equal access to the market. The results suggest that the market is having a limited effect at best in determining INSET choice, that there is little or no increase in choice across the three sectors, and that there still remain considerable inequalities in access to the market. The article concludes by suggesting that there is continued strong central direction in such choice through legislation, which is producing in some areas a degree of convergence, whilst areas of divergence are founded upon inequalities rather than market influence per se. We suggest that a scenario which gives greater weight to Post‐Fordist, rather than Market influences is the more appropriate for describing INSET education and schooling in general.