A Counter‐policy to Subvert Education Reform? Collaboration among Schools and Colleges in a Competitive Climate

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Abstract
The concept of a ‘counter‐policy’ is articulated as a heuristic device for grasping the process of mediation whereby implementation of national policies may stimulate resistance and co‐optation at other education system levels. The discussion is illustrated through exploratory research into initiatives promoting collaboration among English schools and colleges, some enjoying local education authority (LEA) support. The term counter‐policy is defined and located within a local perspective on national policy implementation; the scope of the investigation is summarised; the national policy context stimulating counter‐policies is sketched; how far the collaborative groups studied had developed a counter‐policy is discussed; interaction between key players at different system levels impacting on these counter‐policies is outlined, including reference to related counter‐policies developed in some LEAs; and conclusions are drawn about application of the counter‐policy concept to collaborative initiatives, utility of the conceptual orientation, an agenda for further research, and the potential of collaborative initiatives to subvert central government reform.