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This research paper is part of a PhD research project into the management of secondary school libraries in the independent sector in England and Wales. It aims to demonstrate one method of providing qualitative evidence of library provision in such schools.

This research paper uses the inspection reports of independent schools by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) as a qualitative source of information about the provision of school library services within the independent secondary school sector in England and Wales

The reports indicate that there is a wide range of quality in independent school libraries, just as there are in those schools run by local education authorities.

This paper outlines just one method of assessing the state of school libraries in independent secondary schools. Other methods are being used in the wider PhD research project.

Because independent schools are by their very nature self managed and independently run, the use of ISI reports provides an autonomous, external appraisal of individual schools which will contribute to providing a clearer picture of the whole sector. The research will eventually provide practical advice and guidance to school library practitioners as well as the wider school librarianship and independent school sectors.

The use of inspection reports as a qualitative appraisal of independent schools will be original. While the general school library sector is researched, there has been very little done specifically on independent secondary schools, which educate 7 per cent of the secondary school population in England and Wales.

This literature review aims to provide a synthesis of key information available about the management of independent secondary school libraries in England and Wales. The review has been the foundation of a PhD research project that is investigating issues about the management of school libraries in English and Welsh independent schools.

The literature review covers both hard copy and electronic formats identified from accessing library catalogues, contacting relevant organisations and key players, conducting online databases and wider internet searches plus other elements of the literature search. The review is structured to address the literature about independent schools, their libraries, national and international guidelines for best practice on school librarianship, previous research, the role of the school library manager and select key current issues.

The literature review indicates that there is a substantial current literature about general school librarianship, much of which is relevant to the management of independent school libraries. However, the independent school library sector itself has not been widely researched and the published information about it is scant.

The literature review has largely focused on published information about general school librarianship where it impacts on independent school libraries. This is because there is little information specifically about the management of independent school libraries. Because each school library is different and is a reflection of its own school's culture, a general overview of the management of independent school libraries has not previously been produced. The review is a selective literature review, but identifies the key works relevant to the management of specifically independent school libraries.

The review has helped to structure and direct a PhD research project that is contributing to the literature and addressing some of the gaps in knowledge.

Literature on school librarianship tends to focus on issues that are topical at the time of publication. A review of the literature about the broader management of the school library is original. Also, a literature review that is relevant to the management of independent school libraries is unique. The review will be of value to the broader PhD research about the management of independent school libraries. It will be of particular interest and worth to independent school library managers, but also to general school library practitioners and those with an interest in the sector in the research, government and wider educational communities.

This paper aims to trace the evolution of two initiatives – the direct subsidy scheme and independent schools initiative – their genesis, rationale, current form and take‐up rate. It also analyses them as education reforms in terms of policymaking dynamics. The very notion of the term “privatization” will be examined.

The article examines the two school privatization schemes in Hong Kong and Singapore, by putting into perspective a discussion of their policy implications, thereby reflecting on their similarities and differences in their agenda, implementation and implications.

The findings indicate that the DSS and independent school schemes in both Hong Kong and Singapore are in line with the global trends of privatization. It is suggested that the governments of the two places have adopted different approaches in the implementations of their schemes.

The paper shows how the direct subsidy scheme and independent schools initiative represent attempts over the past two decades by the governments of Hong Kong and Singapore, respectively to promote school privatization.

Statistics show that women are under‐represented in senior management posts in UK independent schools, especially in the secondary sector. Reviews recent studies on women in senior roles in independent schools, concentrating on the secondary sector and comparing the situation with some studies from the maintained sector. Suggests that much needs to be done to improve the status of women in many independent schools, but that further research needs to be done across the whole independent secondary sector to assess how widespread negative attitudes are. Also suggests that training courses should be suited to women’s needs and that mentoring should be more widely available.

One of the issues that divides the major political parties is that of independent schools. Britain is the only Western State, with the exception of Malta, where the independent system of schooling is threatened with abolition.

This paper develops a theoretical framework to guide future inquiry into board governance of independent schools.

The authors' approach is to integrate literatures related to corporate and educational boards, motivation, leadership and group processes that are appropriate for conceptualizing independent school board governance processes.

Shows that the institutional role of an independent school board is likely to be quite different, and considerably more significant than the role of a board of a systemic school.

This paper develops an original theoretical framework that will provide a sound basis for investigation of an important but neglected aspect of educational administration in Australia.

The survival chances of independent schools are closely analysed by a leading public school headmaster in the latest edition of The Parents' Guide to Independent Schools.

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the school-based support program (SBSP) as perceived by teachers who participated in this program. SBSP was designed to collectively build the capacity and promote the overall quality of teaching and learning in identified independent schools in the State of Qatar.

This study is quantitative in nature and was conducted using a survey methodology as its research design. A variety of statistical techniques were utilized in this research. Means, standard deviations, t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were utilized to analyze gained data.

The findings indicated that teachers perceived the effectiveness of SBSP to be moderate-to- high. Further, there was a significant difference between male and female teachers in their perceptions of the effectiveness of SBSP overall. Male participant teachers perceived SBSP overall to be more effective than female participant teachers did. However, there were no significant differences among participant teachers in perceiving the effectiveness of SBSP that is attributed to their teaching experience or academic qualifications.

This study suggests a common level of satisfaction of the SBSP program that was launched just two years ago. At the same time, however, many recommendations and implications were discussed and suggested to enhance the effectiveness of the program.

The establishment of a new independent school is described retrospectively by the headmaster. As a manager he saw his constituency as fourfold: pupils, parents, staff, governors. He must know, teach and talk to pupils; treat every parent′s concerns with total attention; engage his staff in every sense of the word; and satisfy his governors. Public relations skills are of paramount importance at every level and public relations with the world outside must be active not passive or responsive.

The Education Reform Act and, in particular, the Local Management of Schools will demand different skills, understanding and differing roles of senior management in educational establishments. This text draws on written assignments and experience of teachers and headteachers who piloted an MBA programme, designed specifically for senior teachers. Topics such as customers, product, price, promotion and the notion of teachers as a salesforce are unfamiliar to educators. They draw attention to the kind of strategic planning which will take place in schools as they take over responsibility for delegated budgets. All of this is new territory for the majority of state schools and this collection hopefully provides a useful resource.