ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the idea of publicly funded autonomous schools as being a global trend deliberately, as it has become apparent that the idea has gained momentum worldwide over the past two decades. It sets the scene for the authors account of developments at Parkside Academy, locating this in relation to international evidence regarding what have been called, generically, 'independent state schools' or, sometimes, 'independent state-funded schools'. The chapter describes international developments in relation to the idea of independent state-funded schools, looking specifically at three countries, United States, England, and Australia, in the English-speaking world where this idea has, to varying degrees, become a feature of national policy. It argues that independent state schools have been introduced as a remedy to address issues faced by education systems, with ambitious expectation that they will deliver certain outcomes. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
