Academy Anguish: A Gold Dust Business Case Study
Recommend on Google+
Most business teachers (especially those responsible for vocational studies) recognise that schools themselves can provide a rich reservoir of examples case studies to illustrate topical issues which are not easily taught within the abstract classroom environment.
The following article concerning the turnaround of a Carlisle Academy is gold dust for providing tangible examples of a number of topics to which students will readily relate.
Brilliant topical nuggets included within the article include:
Customer Service
Explore how the students staged a strike such was the quality of education on offer.
Leadership / HRM
Read about the appointment and resignation of the UK’s first non-teacher Principal.
External Influences
Explore the regulatory role of OfSTED and national politicians with regard to schools.
Stakeholders
Understand the significant work done by the new management team to address and manage the concerns of parents, students and the local community.
Organisational Change
Digest how the merger of two academies resulting in unclear lines of responsibility, poor communication and in some cases more than one academic Head of Department!
Motivation
The development of a new and somewhat unique recruitment strategy following the resignation of 36 teachers.
Operations
How did the academy manage to resolve health and safety issues and re-decorate the building over a single weekend?
This article would make a great extended homework, AS/A2 synoptic case study with appropriately tailored teacher questions or a useful vocational case study.
Encouragingly, there appears to be a happier ending in sight -despite all the issues in the article (which make great material) the school appears to be making good progress - this aspect of the article could potentially be used for A2 students, reflecting upon their own experience, to consider what future strategic challenges and decisions lie ahead for the Academy.
The TES article can be found using the following link
http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6033973
blog comments powered by Disqus
BUSINESS TEACHER RESOURCE NEWSLETTER
Get first news of business teaching resources, ideas and other materials from tutor2u. Over 9,400 business teachers from the UK and around the world receive our regular teacher email newsletters. Sign up for free here!
