Local management of schools

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Abstract
The Education Reform Act introduced Local Management of Schools (LMS), requiring schools to be responsible for their own budgets. Local Education Authorities were required to draw up schemes to delegate budgets to school governors, the aim being to allow local schools to be much more responsive to the needs of the society they serve. The role of the LEA, albeit changed, remains influential, although a number of factors now affect the relationship between the LEA and the school. The formula, compiled by the LEA, must take into account the wide variety of circumstances from school to school. Once approved by the Secretary of State, the delegation process was applied. The full financial budget is not delegated, and some areas remain the responsibility of the LEA. By allocating funds, primarily on the basis of pupil numbers, the Government claims that the schools will become more responsive to community needs in order to attract and retain pupils. Furthermore, the freedom associated with delegated budgets will lead to a more astute use of resources. This paper sets out the aspirations of the strategy and scrutinizes the reasoning and evidence for and against the stated Government view. In addition, some of the implications of LMS for the education service as a whole are considered.

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