Understanding School Leadership

`This is a book packed with ideas and insights. It is informed by evidence from school leaders and provides a valuable overview of many important theories and research findings. A strength of the book is the way it pulls together empirical research the authors have conducted over the last 20 years. Such a long term view offers a new and needed long term perspective on school leadership and enables the authors to show how trends in leaders′ careers, thinking and practice have emerged and unfolded. Researchers and practitioners alike will find something of value in this book′ - Professor Geoff Southworth, Director of Research, National College for School Leadership′[A]n excellent, well-written, extensively referenced, empirically based contribution to school leadership thinking... Earley and Weindling offer valuable insights for all of us: serving headteachers/principles, advisory and distinct-wide policy makers and aspiring headteachers′ - Journal of Educational Administration

• IntroductionPART ONE: THE CHANGING ROLE AND NATURE OF HEADSHIPA Changing DiscourseFrom Management to LeadershipStages of HeadshipWho Becomes a Head and How Long Do They Stay?The Changing Appeal and Reality of HeadshipOutstanding Leaders School Leadership in Action - A Case StudyAccountability and Ethically Responsible School LeadershipImages of LeadershipPART TWO: DISTRIBUTED LEADERSHIP FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTLeadership Teams and SMTs - Three Research ProjectsThe Heart of the School? Middle Leaders Governing Bodies and Leadership Governing Bodies and School ImprovementEffective Schools and Improvement StrategiesDeveloping Leaders and Leadership Capacity