Do Informal Networks Become Formalized Over Time? Analyzing School Networks in England Using Egocentric Analysis

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Six
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding Teacher and School Collaboration: Factors Impacting and Implications of Collaborative Environments (Table 5)

Abstract

Policy makers in England have encouraged schools to collaborate over several decades, although parallel market pressures also drive competition. More recently, policy has encouraged schools to join multi-academy trusts (MAT). A MAT is a formal legal entity with a board and Chief Executive which oversees multiple schools. We ask whether pre-existing partnerships between schools predict eventual membership of MATs? We analyse ego network and case study interview data collected from 20 schools across two local areas. We track these networks over a seven-year period, identifying which schools join which MATs. We find that schools do not join MATs with other schools they have previously collaborated with. Drawing on socio-spatial theory we assess the implications of this counter-intuitive finding.

Authors

• Toby M. Greany, University of Nottingham
  Presenting Author

• Thomas Cowhitt, University of Glasgow
  Presenting Author

• Christopher Downey, University of Southampton
  Presenting Author