The provisions of the 1988 Education Reform Act have given many schools the turnover and responsibilities of a medium-sized business. The Act is certainly the most important educational legislation since 1944 and local management is the key issue, requiring schools to undertake specialist functions, such as budgetting and marketing, never tackled before at the institutional level. This book introduces some of the practical issues associated with planning and implementing new functions now being devolved to school level. It will enable schools to focus on the implications of the Act and the issues it presents. It stresses the need for the whole school to meet the challenge. Each chapter looks at a different issue, including: * resource management * financial management * budgetary preparation * performance measurement * the uses of information technology * marketing and the school * the legal context * personnel management and staff selection * time management and priority setting. The book does aim to be a practical manual on local management but to provide a clear-thinking and sympathetic discussion of the urgent practical issues now facing all schools. It will be invaluable to all involved in educational management, whether in schools, local authorities, training organisations or academic life