Education and choice in the United Kingdom: measuring school choice policies in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland (1980–2020)

This article introduces and discusses the findings of the United Kingdom School Choice Policy Index (UKSCPI) which provides an overview of the development of school choice policies across seven indicators over the 1980–2020 period, comparing how each of these policy areas have developed across the UK. The findings reveal that school choice has increased most in England with smaller increases in choice in the other countries. The establishment and expansion of Academies accounts for much of the rising levels of choice in England relative to the other three countries since 2010. Following a discussion of the findings of the index, the paper briefly outlines the historical context around the establishment of Academies and considers how their introduction and subsequent expansion has potentially provided wealthier families with more options with regard to their children's schooling as compared to economically disadvantaged families.