ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a critical assessment of the possibility of achieving school improvement through working towards the national Standard 'Investors in People' (IiP). The IiP development plan was derived from an empirical evidence base using document analysis, analysis of human resource management (HRM) processes, staff questionnaires and interviews. The 'Investors' development plan format particularly appealed to the senior management teams through its clarity and goodness-of-fit with the existing School Development Plan format. The analysis identified key individuals whose commitment was needed; defined the critical mass required to ensure the effective implementation of the changes to meet the Standard; and located the present level of commitment to the HRM changes. The chapter concludes that the evidence from this secondary school's experience suggests that the 'Investors' initiative can provide a useful focus to help move a school from an outdated 'culture-in-use' to a 'preferred culture' which best serves the long-term interests of the school.
