ABSTRACT
Given the upheaval to the organisation of English schooling over the last ten years, this chapter focuses on new forms of collaboration and partnership that have emerged as the English system adopts an academy model. The plethora of school type, the range of sponsors and the multiple levels of organisation are critiqued. Focusing on leadership as a task, this chapter offers advice for intending leaders prior to an application for a post in an academy school. In an attempt to offer a balanced view of the academy movement the advantages and pitfalls of working in an academy are discussed. Examples are drawn from practice to illustrate some of the tensions leaders face when trying to drive improvements in failing schools.
