School governing bodies: Management boards or supporters’ clubs?

Abstract

The powers and responsibilities of school governing bodies in England and Wales have been steadily increased through legislation since the mid‐1980s. The invigoration of the school governing body reflects two distinct political trends in the public sector—enhancing the role of clients in influencing the delivery of public services and developing alternatives to local government for rendering public accountability within new quasi‐market structures. In the context of these developments this article reviews recent research on how school governing bodies are fulfilling their intended functions.