ABSTRACT
The changes of the Conservative era affected secondary schools more immediately than primary because the main principles of Conservative educational policy – choice and diversity – could change the structure more easily and more rapidly at secondary level. From the head's perspective, the focal points of pressure are greater accountability and increased management responsibility because of local management of schools (LMS). The second area of pressure for secondary school heads came from the implementation of LMS, which did not, however, come as a bolt from the blue. The principles of LMS are to be maintained and extended under devolved funding. Many secondary schools are functioning close to the point of collapse, almost unable to offer full-time schooling to all their pupils. The new Government's commitment to maintaining public spending at the level specified by the outgoing Government could undermine its aspirations for massive school improvement.
