Policy enactments in schools introduction: towards a toolbox for theory and research

This article provides an introduction to four articles which outline a set of concepts and ideas intended to generate some theoretical leverage for making sense of education policies. They draw upon and contrast certain sets of policies in particular, standards policies, focused upon raising of test and exam performances, and learning policies, focused upon the development of reflexive skills of 'learning to learn'. The papers draw upon a study of policy enactments in secondary schools which aims to provide a grounded account of the complexities of the relations between policy and practice in schools in a period of incessant change and policy 'hyperactivity'.