So You Want to Be a School Leader?

Shaun T Morgan is Assistant Headteacher and Senior Strategic Leader at Mitchell Business & Enterprise College in Stoke-on-Trent.

• Preface 1. What's it all about? This chapter is concerned with putting into context the challenge of securing a senior leadership job.  The emphasis is on identifying your place in the world, the challenge we all face from globalization, and some of the basic groundwork that needs to be done. 2. Find you niche    Here we are concerned with building psychological resilience as you begin to identify opportunities to work more strategically across the school.  3. Tell it like it is!    The concern here is the ability to develop a crystal clear view of what's going on within your niche activity and across the wider organization.  This idea then develops into securing an unrelenting focus on core activities and key outcomes. 4. Whatever you do, deliver the goods This is the bottom line for those looking to secure a senior leadership role.  This chapter investigates overcoming barriers to moving the school forward. 5. Make like you're the boss This chapter is concerned with working with others and cultivating your senior leadership persona.  Do you, for example, look the part and inspire confidence amongst your colleagues.   6. Oh yes, don't forget about the children The quality of school leadership and management has a profound impact upon young people.  This chapter reminds us that no matter how radical the approach, it is ultimately for the benefit of children and the wider community.