' An ideal text for challenging the thinking of those studying for NPQH...The conclusion by the authors suggests nine major points to consider if improvement for schools in extremely challenging circumstances is to happen and be sustained. These 'nine lesson for policy makers' are very frank and pertinent points, let's hope at least some of our policy makers read them!
'-ESCalate
'Those who have written about Octet before have suffered from the mixed blessing of receiving DfES cash to carry out their evaluations. This book gets closest to breaking free from the shackles of having accepted the Government shilling. Presumably this is in part because the main originators of the scheme have left the DfES and been replaced by others less wedded to proving the success of the model. In any case, such is the reputation of the authors that they would not be prepared to trim their findings to suit some official line... It's to be hoped that policy-makers in all three main political parties read at least the last chapter' - Times Educational Supplement
'Rarely does a book on education reform capture both the big and the small picture with such brilliant clarity. MacBeath and his colleagues furnish a ‘no holds barred' account of the ins and outs of understanding and assessing the impact of schools struggling for success. A fascinating read' - Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus, OISE/University of Toronto