The impact of Specialist School status: a case study of two contrasting mathematics and computing colleges

The research examines the range of effects of obtaining Specialist School status in two contrasting mathematics and computing colleges, concentrating on the mathematics department. The positive impact of a wider range of technology was evident in both schools although the inherent pedagogical perspectives within each mathematics department remained fixed. Some definite tensions were evident in both schools – timetabling difficulties mitigating against maintaining and strengthening partnerships, a growing assumption that, having obtained Specialist School status, all mathematics staff were deemed to be ‘experts'. Key subject personnel in both schools obtained promotion within two years; each left a significant ‘gap' in provision and development and raised issues of ‘succession management' which had been unforeseen.