This module will enable you to develop and demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of aspects of educational policy making and policy enactment that shape and influence the parameters of professional activity within your particular sector of education provision. It will allow you to develop knowledge of relevant literature in your chosen area of study and an extended understanding of appropriate policy related concepts and issues in the field of Education. It will also support you to develop the ability to effectively deploy theoretical concepts in pursuit of new perspectives on education policy and approaches to professional practice.

- Access to academic study skills support
- Access to subject librarians
- University Library resources for a range of relevant texts, e-books and academic journals
- Materials and resources on the module VLE

A variety of learning and teaching methods are used such as presentations by academic tutors, group discussions, case studies, workplace-related learning activities and participant centred investigations. There is a strong emphasis on activity-focused learning and participants are expected to actively engage in all sessions and the structured tasks set by tutors in-between sessions. In addition, participants are required to engage in extensive independent study so as to consolidate and extend the learning that takes place in taught sessions. This takes the form of undertaking follow-up tasks and extensive critical reading of relevant key policy texts, theoretical and research literature and research papers in academic journals. Opportunities for ongoing formative feedback will be provided.

Ball, S.J. and Junemann, C. (2012) Networks, New Governance and Education Bristol: Policy Press
Chitty, C. (2009) Education Policy in Britain, 2nd Edition, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Garrett, D. and Forrester, G. (2012) Education Policy Unravelled, London: Continuum
Perry, A., Amadeo, C., Fletcher, M. and Walker, E. (2010) Instinct or Reason: How education policy is made and how we might make it better. Reading: CfBT Education Trust.
Saunders, L. (Ed.) (2007) Educational Research and Policymaking: Exploring the Border Country Between Research and Policy. London: Routledge.
Ward, S. & Eden, C. (2009) Key Issues in Education Policy, London: Sage.
Whitty, G. (2006) Education(al) Research and Education Policy Making: Is Conflict Inevitable? British Educational Research Journal, 32(2): 159-176.
Whitty, G. (2008) Twenty years of progress? UK education policy 1988 to the present. Educational Management, Leadership and Administration, 36(2): 165-184.

Relevant Journals:
Assessment in Education: principles, policy & practice
International Journal of Education Policy & Leadership
Journal for Critical Education Policy Studies
Journal of Education Policy
Journal of Education Policy, Planning & Administration
Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management
Policy and Practice in Higher Education

Assessment for this module comprises a written assignment of 6000 words. The assignment assesses all the module learning outcomes.

Conduct a critical analysis of an area of education policy related to your chosen professional context so as to inform the development of specific research questions.

This module will enable you to develop and demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of aspects of educational policy making and policy enactment that shape and influence the parameters of professional activity within your particular sector of education provision. It will allow you to develop knowledge of relevant literature in your chosen area of study and an extended understanding of appropriate policy related concepts and issues in the field of Education. It will also support you to develop the ability to effectively deploy theoretical concepts in pursuit of new perspectives on education policy and approaches to professional practice.