‘Rapidly improving results’: Penetrating the hype of policy-based evidence

Abstract

The Academies programme was introduced in March 2000, as a means of rescuing ‘seriously failing schools’ and with the aim of ‘breaking the cycle of underperformance and low expectations’ (Blunkett 2000). The decision was made by ministerial pronouncement, with no significant parliamentary debate, and hidden within the ‘Fresh Start’ initiative. The first three academies were announced by September 2000 and opened in September 2002. The programme has been in trouble ever since.