Re-thinking trust in a performative culture: the case of education

This paper examines the way in which the notion of trust is being reformulated within teacher professionalism in England. It does this by setting the discussion within the economic context in which education is placed and examines the competitiveness settlement and its construction of a high skills economy marked by high trust relations. It is argued that this model of the English economy does not sit well with existing relations. The paper then draws upon material from the Learning and Skills Council, which sets the framework within which postcompulsory education and training is placed. It relates this discussion to the recent history of managerialism as well as performance management exploring the implications for trust relations. The paper then examines the nature of teacher professionalism and argues that current interventions work within a truncated model of trust, which is contrasted with a dialogic understanding of professionalism.