This book aims to demystify the principles and practice of school improvement by demonstrating how successful classroom and school improvement occurs. It outlines the conditions, strategies and approaches that promote sustainable improvement and provides an overview of the main theoretical perspectives in this area.

This accessible text will be useful for practitioners working within schools and with schools, offering clear guidance for those keen to raise standards and improve achievement.

The What's In It For Schools? series aims to make educational policy issues relevant to practitioners. Each book in the series focuses on a major educational issue. The author sets the issue in context, looks at how it impacts on the daily lives of schools and teachers, and raises key questions. The books are grounded in sound theory, recent research evidence and best practice, and will make an excellent addition to any staffroom bookshelf.

Alma Harris is Professor of School Leadership at the Institute of Education, University of Warwick. She is also a Research Associate of the International Centre for School Effectiveness and School Improvement at the Institute of Education, University of London.

Introduction; Chapter 1 School Improvement in Context; Chapter 2 Improving Schools What Works?; Chapter 3 Changing and Improving Schools; Chapter 4 Building the Capacity for School Improvement; Chapter 5 Leading School Improvement; Chapter 6 Improving Classrooms; Chapter 7 Improving Teaching; Chapter 8 School Improvement: What's in it for Schools?;