Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Professor TOBY GREANY's Outputs (43)

Local learning landscapes: conceptualising place-based professional learning by teachers and schools in decentralised education systems (2024)
Journal Article
Greany, T., Cowhitt, T., Noyes, A., Gripton, C., & Hudson, G. (2024). Local learning landscapes: conceptualising place-based professional learning by teachers and schools in decentralised education systems. Journal of Educational Change, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10833-024-09508-x

This article sets out an original conceptual framework for place-based professional learning by teachers and schools in decentralised education systems. High quality Continuing Professional Development and Learning (CDPL) by teachers is associated wi... Read More about Local learning landscapes: conceptualising place-based professional learning by teachers and schools in decentralised education systems.

The best of times, the worst of times: Continuities in school leaders' work in uncertain times (2024)
Journal Article
Thomson, P., & Greany, T. (in press). The best of times, the worst of times: Continuities in school leaders' work in uncertain times. Educational Management Administration and Leadership, https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432231218544

The COVID 19 pandemic created new challenges for school leaders. They worked very long hours in difficult circumstances. Improvising and responding quickly to poorly timed central guidelines had an adverse effect on their health and wellbeing. Our mi... Read More about The best of times, the worst of times: Continuities in school leaders' work in uncertain times.

Schools Partnership Programme: Evaluation Report (2023)
Report
Godfrey, D., Anders, J., Stoll, L., Jerrim, J., Munoz Chereau, B., McGinity, R., & Greany, T. (2023). Schools Partnership Programme: Evaluation Report. London: Education Endowment Foundation

Leadership across partnerships and networks (2023)
Book Chapter
Greany, T. (2023). Leadership across partnerships and networks. In P. A. Woods, A. Roberts, M. Tian, & H. Youngs (Eds.), Handbook on Leadership in Education (143-156). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800880429.00017

This chapter focuses on leadership across inter-school partnerships and networks. It argues that existing research and policy has prioritised a focus on leadership within individual schools, but that this is insufficient in the context of contemporar... Read More about Leadership across partnerships and networks.

Storytelling With Networks: Realizing the Explanatory Potential of Network Diagrams Through the Integration of Qualitative Data (2023)
Journal Article
Cowhitt, T., Greany, T., & Downey, C. (2023). Storytelling With Networks: Realizing the Explanatory Potential of Network Diagrams Through the Integration of Qualitative Data. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231189369

Network visualizations are alluring yet deceptively difficult to interpret. This article demonstrates several strategies for integrating qualitative data into interactive network diagrams for the purposes of providing contextual information about act... Read More about Storytelling With Networks: Realizing the Explanatory Potential of Network Diagrams Through the Integration of Qualitative Data.

Do informal networks become formalised over time? Analysing school networks and multi-academy trust membership in England using ego-centric analysis (2023)
Journal Article
Greany, T., Cowhitt, T., & Downey, C. (2024). Do informal networks become formalised over time? Analysing school networks and multi-academy trust membership in England using ego-centric analysis. Journal of Educational Change, 25, 151-172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10833-023-09485-7

Recent decades have seen a global shift in educational policy and practice towards various forms of ‘joining-up’, through partnerships and networks. These networks have differing aims but are broadly geared towards increasing quality and/or innovatio... Read More about Do informal networks become formalised over time? Analysing school networks and multi-academy trust membership in England using ego-centric analysis.

Local learning landscapes: exploring coherence, equity and quality in teacher professional development in England (2023)
Report
Greany, T., Noyes, A., Gripton, C., Cowhitt, T., & Hudson, G. (2023). Local learning landscapes: exploring coherence, equity and quality in teacher professional development in England. Wellcome

Ensuring that all teachers engage in high-quality Continuing Professional Development and Learning (CPDL) has long been a policy priority in school systems worldwide, given evidence that this can lead to improvements in teaching quality and, thereby,... Read More about Local learning landscapes: exploring coherence, equity and quality in teacher professional development in England.

School to school collaboration through Teaching School Alliances in England: ‘system leadership’ in a messy and hybrid governance context (2022)
Book Chapter
Greany, T., & Armstrong, P. (2022). School to school collaboration through Teaching School Alliances in England: ‘system leadership’ in a messy and hybrid governance context. In P. Armstrong, & C. Brown (Eds.), School to School Collaboration: Learning Across International Contexts. London: Emerald

This chapter explores school-to-school collaboration via Teaching School Alliances (TSAs) in one locality in England, drawing on governance theory (Bevir, 2011) - specifically hierarchy, markets and networks (Tenbensel, 2015). It focuses on three TSA... Read More about School to school collaboration through Teaching School Alliances in England: ‘system leadership’ in a messy and hybrid governance context.

Working with complexity: Leading school networks in Aotearoa New Zealand and England (2022)
Journal Article
Greany, T., & Kamp, A. (2024). Working with complexity: Leading school networks in Aotearoa New Zealand and England. Educational Management Administration and Leadership, 52(5), 1047-1061. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432221124746

Inter-school networks have been promoted in many school systems globally to facilitate: knowledge generation and dissemination; responsiveness to increasingly diverse student and societal needs; and emotional and practical peer support for educationa... Read More about Working with complexity: Leading school networks in Aotearoa New Zealand and England.

Teacher learning in a shifting school landscape: The implications of academisation for professional development in primary mathematics (2022)
Journal Article
Gripton, C., Hudson, G., Greany, T., Noyes, A., & Cowhitt, T. (2022). Teacher learning in a shifting school landscape: The implications of academisation for professional development in primary mathematics. Forum: for Promoting 3-19 Comprehensive Education, 64(3), 32-41. https://doi.org/10.3898/forum.2022.64.3.04

Alongside new models for government-funded professional development, England's academisation policy has significantly changed access, provision and responsibilities for teacher learning. This article reviews this impact on professional learning in pr... Read More about Teacher learning in a shifting school landscape: The implications of academisation for professional development in primary mathematics.

Networking Small Rural Schools in the Pandemic (2022)
Book Chapter
Greany, T., & Wolfe, A. (2022). Networking Small Rural Schools in the Pandemic. In The Power of Professional Learning Networks - traversing the present; transforming the future (11). London: John Catt Educational Ltd

This chapter draws on findings from an evaluation of two regional networks developed by the Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership to support senior leaders in small rural schools in England. The networks were launched in September 2... Read More about Networking Small Rural Schools in the Pandemic.

Leading Educational Networks: Theory, Policy and Practice (2022)
Book
Greany, T., & Kamp, A. (2022). Leading Educational Networks: Theory, Policy and Practice. London: Bloomsbury Publishing

This book offers a global perspective on educational networks, reviewing theory and practice before setting out four lenses: educational effectiveness and improvement; governance theory; complexity theory; and Actor-Network Theory. Using these lenses... Read More about Leading Educational Networks: Theory, Policy and Practice.

Vox Poetica: bringing an arts-based research method to school leaders’ lockdown experiences (2022)
Journal Article
Thomson, P., Greany, T., Cousins, S., & Martindale, N. (2023). Vox Poetica: bringing an arts-based research method to school leaders’ lockdown experiences. Journal of Educational Administration and History, 55(2), 215-230. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220620.2022.2071849

The work of school leaders during lockdown has been emotionally charged and emotionally draining, affecting immediate well-being and longer term career plans. In order to communicate the emotions that we were told about and which were obvious during... Read More about Vox Poetica: bringing an arts-based research method to school leaders’ lockdown experiences.

Networked Improvement in the US and England: A New Role for the Middle Tier (2022)
Book Chapter
Glazer, J. L., Greany, T., Duff, M., & Berry, W. (2022). Networked Improvement in the US and England: A New Role for the Middle Tier. In D. J. Peurach, J. Lin Russell, L. Cohen-Vogel, & W. Penuel (Eds.), The Foundational Handbook on Improvement Research in Education (165-187). Rowman & Littlefield

As education systems across the globe confront increasingly lofty demands for rigor and equity, there is a growing need to investigate the ways in which practice-based knowledge is generated, shared, and used by teachers and school leaders across div... Read More about Networked Improvement in the US and England: A New Role for the Middle Tier.

Editorial for Special Issue - Leadership in Multi-School Organisations (2021)
Journal Article
Greany, T. (2021). Editorial for Special Issue - Leadership in Multi-School Organisations. School Leadership and Management, 41(4-5), 285-289. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2021.1981110

This special issue focusses on governance, leadership and improvement in Multi-School Organisations (MSOs). Three types of MSO are examined across the five articles - Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) in England, Boards of Multiple Schools (BMSs) in the Ne... Read More about Editorial for Special Issue - Leadership in Multi-School Organisations.

The trust deficit in England: emerging research evidence about school leaders and the pandemic (2021)
Journal Article
Thomson, P., Greany, T., & Martindale, N. (2021). The trust deficit in England: emerging research evidence about school leaders and the pandemic. Journal of Educational Administration and History, 53(3-4), 296-300. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220620.2021.1975366

Limited research has assessed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on school leaders specifically. Working together with England's two leader associations, we designed and conducted a national survey of almost 1500 leaders in summer 2021 to assess th... Read More about The trust deficit in England: emerging research evidence about school leaders and the pandemic.

Leading Curriculum Development (2021)
Book Chapter
Greany, T. (2021). Leading Curriculum Development. In T. Greany, & P. Earley (Eds.), School Leadership and Education System Reform. (2nd). London: Bloomsbury Publishing

The importance of leadership in shaping and developing the curriculum in schools is widely recognized. However, despite this recognition of the need for school leaders to be, inter alia, curriculum leaders, there is surprisingly little robust resear... Read More about Leading Curriculum Development.

Introduction: School leadership and education system reform (2021)
Book Chapter
Greany, T., & Earley, P. (2021). Introduction: School leadership and education system reform. In School leadership and education system reform. (2nd). London: Bloomsbury Publishing

This second edition of School Leadership and Education System Reform includes contributions from a range of academics, policy makers and practitioners. It focuses on developments in England and addresses four questions: i) how can school leaders sha... Read More about Introduction: School leadership and education system reform.

School System Governance And The Implications For Schools (2021)
Book Chapter
Greany, T., & Higham, R. (2021). School System Governance And The Implications For Schools. In T. Greany, & P. Earley (Eds.), School Leadership and Education System Reform. (2nd). London: Bloomsbury Publishing

Conservative-led governments in power since 2010 have introduced a range of reforms in England, including a rapid expansion in the number of academies and Multi-Academy Trusts, the roll back of Local Authorities and the encouragement of new school-to... Read More about School System Governance And The Implications For Schools.

Leadership And School Improvement In Multi-Academy Trusts (2021)
Book Chapter
Greany, T., & McGinity, R. (2021). Leadership And School Improvement In Multi-Academy Trusts. In School Leadership and Education System Reform. (2nd). London: Bloomsbury Publishing

The focus in this chapter is on leadership and improvement in Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) in England, informed by findings from a mixed methods study by the authors (Greany, 2018). The chapter aims to:
• Summarize the key features and evolution of... Read More about Leadership And School Improvement In Multi-Academy Trusts.

Structural integration and knowledge exchange in multi-academy trusts: comparing approaches with evidence and theory from non-educational sectors (2021)
Journal Article
Greany, T., & McGinity, R. (2021). Structural integration and knowledge exchange in multi-academy trusts: comparing approaches with evidence and theory from non-educational sectors. School Leadership and Management, 41(4-5), 311-333. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2021.1872525

This article analyses the ways in which leaders in Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) in England work to develop shared improvement practices across the schools they operate. It draws on case study evidence gathered as part of a larger mixed methods study b... Read More about Structural integration and knowledge exchange in multi-academy trusts: comparing approaches with evidence and theory from non-educational sectors.

Why is school-to-school collaboration important and how can we make it work? (2021)
Book Chapter
Greany, T. (2021). Why is school-to-school collaboration important and how can we make it work?. In Connecting Classrooms: Unlocking a world of potential - Leading the way (25-32). London: British Council

Networks, collaborations and partnerships between schools can take multiple forms and achieve multiple objectives. This can make them hard to make sense of – and even harder to lead and manage. Nevertheless, this chapter argues that policy makers sho... Read More about Why is school-to-school collaboration important and how can we make it work?.

Self-policing or self-improving?: analysing peer reviews between schools in England through the lens of isomorphism (2020)
Book Chapter
Greany, T. (2020). Self-policing or self-improving?: analysing peer reviews between schools in England through the lens of isomorphism. In School peer review for educational improvement and accountability: Theory, practice and policy implications (71-94). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-48130-8_4

Peer reviews are not compulsory for schools in England, but they have become increasingly common in recent years. There is no single model for how peer reviews operate, but they generally involve staff from at least one other school in reviewing pra... Read More about Self-policing or self-improving?: analysing peer reviews between schools in England through the lens of isomorphism.

The context and challenges of contemporary school leadership (2020)
Book Chapter
Earley, P., & Greany, T. (2020). The context and challenges of contemporary school leadership. In Sustaining Depth and Meaning in School Leadership (41-56). Taylor & Francis (Routledge). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003015901-2

In chapter 2, Peter Earley and Toby Greany provide an overview of current theories and trends within school leadership and the history behind them, drawing upon a range of recent research, including their own. They argue that, although there is no wi... Read More about The context and challenges of contemporary school leadership.

Place-based governance and leadership in decentralised school systems: evidence from England (2020)
Journal Article
Greany, T. (2022). Place-based governance and leadership in decentralised school systems: evidence from England. Journal of Education Policy, 37(2), 247-268. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680939.2020.1792554

Relatively few studies have explored the ways in which 'middle tier' institutional arrangements in education, such as school districts and local authorities, are responding to New Public Management reforms characterized by centralization, decentraliz... Read More about Place-based governance and leadership in decentralised school systems: evidence from England.

Approaches to scaling innovations across schools: an analysis of key theories and models (2019)
Book Chapter
Greany, T. (2019). Approaches to scaling innovations across schools: an analysis of key theories and models. In R. Heraud, & M. A. Peters (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of Educational Innovation. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2262-4_68-1

The question of how to scale up successful innovations remains a key challenge for policy and practice in education (Hall, 2013). This article outlines three established ‘schools of thought’ around how to scale up successful innovations. The first... Read More about Approaches to scaling innovations across schools: an analysis of key theories and models.

Liderar la mejora y la innovación en las escuelas y en los sistemas (2019)
Book Chapter
Greany, T. (2019). Liderar la mejora y la innovación en las escuelas y en los sistemas. In Las paradojas de la innovación educativa. Barcelona: Horsori Editorial, S.L

Aquest capítol se centra en el paper del lideratge educatiu entorn de la millora i la innovació a les escoles. El focus d’atenció s’estableix en el lideratge en l’àmbit escolar en el context dels debats i testimoniatges actuals en l’administració del... Read More about Liderar la mejora y la innovación en las escuelas y en los sistemas.

Balancing the needs of policy and practice, while remaining authentic: an analysis of leadership and governance in three national school leadership colleges (2018)
Journal Article
Greany, T. (2018). Balancing the needs of policy and practice, while remaining authentic: an analysis of leadership and governance in three national school leadership colleges. Cylchgrawn Addysg Cymru / Wales Journal of Education, 20(2), 63-98. https://doi.org/10.16922/wje.20.2.5

The contribution that school leadership can make to school and teacher quality - and thereby to pupil learning - is widely recognised. Pressures on school leaders have increased in recent years, as a result of increased accountability and higher expe... Read More about Balancing the needs of policy and practice, while remaining authentic: an analysis of leadership and governance in three national school leadership colleges.

Multi-academy trusts: do they make a difference to pupil outcomes?: supplementary statistical analysis for the report Hierarchy, markets and networks: analysing the 'self-improving school-led system' agenda in England and the implications for schools (2018)
Report
Bernardinelli, D., Rutt, S., Greany, T., & Higham, R. (2018). Multi-academy trusts: do they make a difference to pupil outcomes?: supplementary statistical analysis for the report Hierarchy, markets and networks: analysing the 'self-improving school-led system' agenda in England and the implications for schools. London: Nuffield Foundation and Education Development Trust

Hierarchy, markets and networks: analysing the 'self-improving school-led system' agenda in England and the implications for schools (2018)
Report
Greany, T., & Higham, R. (2018). Hierarchy, markets and networks: analysing the 'self-improving school-led system' agenda in England and the implications for schools. London: Nuffield Foundation and Education Development Trust

This report analyses how schools in England have interpreted and begun to respond to the government’s ‘self-improving school-led system’ (SISS) policy agenda, an overarching narrative for schools policy since 2010 that encompasses an ensemble of refo... Read More about Hierarchy, markets and networks: analysing the 'self-improving school-led system' agenda in England and the implications for schools.

Educational disadvantage: How does England compare? (2018)
Book
Jerrim, J., Greany, T., & Perera, N. (2018). Educational disadvantage: How does England compare?. London: Education Policy Institute

This EPI report uses international educational assessment data to explore how England compares with the world leading education nations for the performance of school-age children in reading and mathematics. We investigate the socio-economic gap in s... Read More about Educational disadvantage: How does England compare?.

Independent-State School Partnerships: An initial review of evidence and current practices (2017)
Report
Lucas, B., Stoll, L., Greany, T., Tsakalaki, A., & Nelson, R. (2017). Independent-State School Partnerships: An initial review of evidence and current practices. Tony Little Centre for Innovation and Research in Learning at Eton College

Over the last two decades there has been growing interest in independent-state school partnerships (ISSPs). The term is currently used to refer to arrangements between two or more schools which include at least one independent and one state school. I... Read More about Independent-State School Partnerships: An initial review of evidence and current practices.

Evidence-informed innovation in schools: aligning collaborative research and development with high quality professional learning for teachers (2017)
Journal Article
Greany, T., & Maxwell, B. (2017). Evidence-informed innovation in schools: aligning collaborative research and development with high quality professional learning for teachers. International Journal of Innovation in Education, 4(2/3), 147-170. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijiie.2017.088095

Innovation efforts in schools commonly wrestle with two challenges: how to secure ownership of change among teachers and how to ensure that improvements are based on evidence. This paper draws on findings from a two-year collaborative research and de... Read More about Evidence-informed innovation in schools: aligning collaborative research and development with high quality professional learning for teachers.

Karmel Oration: Leading schools and school systems in times of change: A paradox and a quest (2017)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Greany, T. (2017, August). Karmel Oration: Leading schools and school systems in times of change: A paradox and a quest. Presented at ACER Research Conference, Melbourne, Australia

The ‘paradox’ in this title refers to a set of contradictions that sit at the heart of education policy in many school systems. Policymakers in these systems want things that, if not inherently at odds, are nevertheless in tension— such as a tightly... Read More about Karmel Oration: Leading schools and school systems in times of change: A paradox and a quest.

Introduction - School Leadership and Education System Reform (2017)
Book Chapter
Greany, T., & Earley, P. (2017). Introduction - School Leadership and Education System Reform. . London: Bloomsbury

This edited collection explores current models for school system reform and the leadership implications that emerge. It revolves around a paradox and a quest. The paradox reflects the competing demands at the heart of policy in many school systems –... Read More about Introduction - School Leadership and Education System Reform.

Collaboration, partnerships and system leadership across schools (2017)
Book Chapter
Greany, T. (2017). Collaboration, partnerships and system leadership across schools. In School Leadership and Education System Reform. London: Bloomsbury Publishing

This chapter focusses on the development of school-to-school support, networks and partnerships and the leadership practices associated with these, focussing in particular on developments in England. It aims to
● analyse the rationale for school par... Read More about Collaboration, partnerships and system leadership across schools.

The evidence-informed school system in England: where should school leaders be focusing their efforts? (2017)
Journal Article
Brown, C., & Greany, T. (2018). The evidence-informed school system in England: where should school leaders be focusing their efforts?. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 17(1), 115-137. https://doi.org/10.1080/15700763.2016.1270330

This article examines the impetus for schools to engage in and with evidence in England’s self-improving school system. It begins with an examination of how the education policy environment has changed, shifting from predominantly top-down approaches... Read More about The evidence-informed school system in England: where should school leaders be focusing their efforts?.

Trends in Maths and Science Study (TIMSS): National Report for England (2016)
Book
Greany, T., Barnes, I., Mostafa, T., Pensiero, N., & Swensson, C. (in press). Trends in Maths and Science Study (TIMSS): National Report for England. London: UK Department for Education

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is overseen by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). It provides participating countries internationally comparable data on the performance... Read More about Trends in Maths and Science Study (TIMSS): National Report for England.

Innovation is possible, it’s just not easy: Improvement, innovation and legitimacy in England’s autonomous and accountable school system (2016)
Journal Article
Greany, T. (2018). Innovation is possible, it’s just not easy: Improvement, innovation and legitimacy in England’s autonomous and accountable school system. Educational Management Administration and Leadership, 46(1), 65-85. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143216659297

This article reviews the literature and explores the institutional and systemic factors that help and/or hinder change and innovation across school systems, with a focus on evidence from England. A number of authors have argued that schools and schoo... Read More about Innovation is possible, it’s just not easy: Improvement, innovation and legitimacy in England’s autonomous and accountable school system.

Rebels against the system: leadership agency and curriculum innovation in the context of school autonomy and accountability in England (2016)
Journal Article
Greany, T., & Waterhouse, J. (2016). Rebels against the system: leadership agency and curriculum innovation in the context of school autonomy and accountability in England. International Journal of Educational Management, 30(7), 1188-1206. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijem-11-2015-0148

Purpose – This paper describes and analyses the development of school autonomy, school leadership and curriculum innovation in England over the past forty years. It provides a baseline picture for the wider international study on school autonomy and... Read More about Rebels against the system: leadership agency and curriculum innovation in the context of school autonomy and accountability in England.

More fragmented, and yet more networked: Analysing the responses of two Local Authorities in England to the Coalition's 'self-improving school-led system' reforms (2015)
Journal Article
Greany, T. (2015). More fragmented, and yet more networked: Analysing the responses of two Local Authorities in England to the Coalition's 'self-improving school-led system' reforms. London Review of Education, 13(2), 125-143. https://doi.org/10.18546/LRE.13.2.11

This paper explores school reform in England under the Conservative-led Coalition government, elected in 2010, through a focus on the changing roles and status of Local Authorities (LAs). The Coalition's stated aim was the development of a 'self-impr... Read More about More fragmented, and yet more networked: Analysing the responses of two Local Authorities in England to the Coalition's 'self-improving school-led system' reforms.

Conflicts of interest in academy sponsorship arrangements (2014)
Report
Greany, T., & Scott, J. (2014). Conflicts of interest in academy sponsorship arrangements. London: House of Commons Education Select Committee

This study was commissioned by the Education Select Committee to assess conflicts of interest in academy trusts and sponsorship arrangements. The research informed the Committee’s inquiry into academies and free schools (2015). The research involved... Read More about Conflicts of interest in academy sponsorship arrangements.