David Gurr – författare

Leading Schools Successfully: Stories from the field considers international research focussing on leadership in schools. Based on the ISSPP (International Successful School Principalship Project) which has conducted over one hundred multiple perspective case studies of successful school principals from more than a dozen countries, the book captures the exhilaration of being a principal who grows and sustains success from those practitioners who are acknowledged as exhibiting outstanding leadership. Whilst much is known about successful school leaders, the book reinforces the argument that it is neither possible, nor appropriate, to generalise specific strategies that should be adopted to ensure success for all schools at all times in all settings. Instead, success calls for a high level of judgement, wisdom, artistry and sheer hard work on the part of principals, adapting for their particular context the knowledge about leading schools successfully. Reflection sections in each chapter ask the reader to consider further issues which each chapter raises. Topics considered include:- the importance of school principals to school success - turning around under-performing schools- values-led leadership-sustaining successful leadership- leading in multi-cultural settings - issues and implications for the future. With international contributions from experts in the field, the book offers a new perspective on leadership in schools and will be of interest to school principals and researchers.

This book explores the complex landscape of technology and education, particularly on how students learn, and educators teach. It uncovers effective approaches to harness technology's potential while safeguarding the core values of education.The contributors in this volume are educational leaders engaged in education policy, practice, and research. In each chapter they focus on the integration of artificial intelligence, online learning, and distance education prompted by global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide insights, strategies, and case studies to help readers navigate this dynamic landscape effectively. The chapters offer clarity to complex issues and offer evidence-informed practices for shaping technology integration and digital leadership in the years ahead.The book will be of relevance to educational leaders, scholars, policymakers, and educators who are preparing for a future shaped by rapid technological change. It can also be a supplementary reading to those interested in staying abreast of the evolving educational landscape or enhancing their understanding of technology and digital leadership's role in shaping the future of learning.

Leading Schools Successfully: Stories from the field considers international research focussing on leadership in schools. Based on the ISSPP (International Successful School Principalship Project) which has conducted over one hundred multiple perspective case studies of successful school principals from more than a dozen countries, the book captures the exhilaration of being a principal who grows and sustains success from those practitioners who are acknowledged as exhibiting outstanding leadership. Whilst much is known about successful school leaders, the book reinforces the argument that it is neither possible, nor appropriate, to generalise specific strategies that should be adopted to ensure success for all schools at all times in all settings. Instead, success calls for a high level of judgement, wisdom, artistry and sheer hard work on the part of principals, adapting for their particular context the knowledge about leading schools successfully. Reflection sections in each chapter ask the reader to consider further issues which each chapter raises. Topics considered include:- the importance of school principals to school success - turning around under-performing schools- values-led leadership-sustaining successful leadership- leading in multi-cultural settings - issues and implications for the future. With international contributions from experts in the field, the book offers a new perspective on leadership in schools and will be of interest to school principals and researchers.

The exploration of the intersection of leadership practices from the school principal and other educators, the school culture, and the school success across different high-need contexts and cultures make this volume unique. Chapters in this volume present original investigations or reanalysis of empirical research enhancing our understanding of the interrelationship between leadership, culture and success through descriptions of practice that can contribute to lessons in leadership for school improvement. When considering a culture of success, leadership that focuses on impacting schools in high-need areas bring about lessons on how to create sustainable environments for student learning in challenging contexts. High-need schools include not only socioeconomic challenges influencing the performance of students. It includes multiple external and internal factors impacting leaders, teachers, students, and their families, affecting the management of structures, processes, and most importantly, learning. In the quest to improve high-need schools, and understand strategies for principals dedicated to a variety of contexts, this volume brings lessons with application for researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners who want to join in the quest to improve the quality of education among worldwide communities.

The exploration of the intersection of leadership practices from the school principal and other educators, the school culture, and the school success across different high-need contexts and cultures make this volume unique. Chapters in this volume present original investigations or reanalysis of empirical research enhancing our understanding of the interrelationship between leadership, culture and success through descriptions of practice that can contribute to lessons in leadership for school improvement. When considering a culture of success, leadership that focuses on impacting schools in high-need areas bring about lessons on how to create sustainable environments for student learning in challenging contexts. High-need schools include not only socioeconomic challenges influencing the performance of students. It includes multiple external and internal factors impacting leaders, teachers, students, and their families, affecting the management of structures, processes, and most importantly, learning. In the quest to improve high-need schools, and understand strategies for principals dedicated to a variety of contexts, this volume brings lessons with application for researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners who want to join in the quest to improve the quality of education among worldwide communities.

Servant Leadership in Educational Organisations: Leading with Empathy and Purpose is a comprehensive guide to leading with empathy and purpose. It explores key leadership principles and practical strategies that empower leaders to foster collaboration and create positive change in educational settings.At the heart of the book is a contemporary model of servant leadership, a holistic and integrative framework that connects leadership mindsets, behaviours, and organisational practices within an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) context. Providing an in-depth discussion of servant leadership tailored for educational leaders seeking to enhance their leadership skills, the authors begin with an in-depth definition and historical overview, offering a solid foundation of the origins and evolution of this leadership approach. Chapters then cover a wide range of topics essential for understanding and practicing servant leadership, including self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the creation of a supportive work environment. Key principles such as empathy, humility, and ethical decision-making are thoroughly examined, providing readers with a framework for implementing these values in their leadership practices.Throughout the book, real-world case studies referred to as 'Spotlights of Practice’ illustrate how servant leadership is implemented across diverse educational settings. These examples demonstrate how a servant leadership practices can lead to improved employee engagement, trust, and organisational effectiveness. The combination of theory, reflective insights, and evidence-informed practices makes this an essential read for any current and aspiring educational leaders seeking to make a positive difference in their organisations.

Arising from new research of members of the International Successful School Principalship Project, this book presents cases of school and leadership success from across 12 countries.

Arising from new research of members of the International Successful School Principalship Project, this book presents cases of school and leadership success from across 12 countries. It provides critically informed writing, informed by ecological systems theory, which questions the uncritical application of single lens, adjectival leadership models, challenges critical theorists’ views of teachers’ and leaders’ as necessarily compliant with so-called neoliberal policy agendas. In their place, the chapters provide compelling evidence not only of who successful leaders are and what they do, but how they do it as they meet and manage the challenges of building and sustaining success in uncertain times in a range of cultures and social contexts. In these schools, principals assert their broad educational values, professional identities, agency and resilience, drawing upon a range of strategies, technical and human relating qualities and skills in building and sustaining success for all.Whilst they acknowledge the influence of cultural, policy, and community contexts, they are not oppressed by these. The chapters provide a brief description of country and school contexts, the life and work of the principal, their leadership strategies and how they contribute to teacher wellbeing and teaching quality, leadership development in others, pedagogical leadership, cultures of trust, and community engagement. There is also consideration of how school leaders manage tensions and dilemmas, how success differs from effectiveness, and the characteristics and qualities of leaders that lead to success. It is a book which will stimulate school leaders and aspiring school leaders to consider more deeply their own work and its directions. For researchers and system leaders, it provides multi-level, multiple perspective case studies as part of the largest international educational leadership project ever undertaken. It is a ‘must read’, rich, timely professionally connected book.​

This collection addresses key issues in the preparation and development of school leaders across eight countries and four world areas (North America, United Kingdom, Europe and Australasia).

Much of the literature has relied on others commenting on the work of educational leaders, rather than the voice of the leaders driving the commentary. There have been few studies attempting to capture principal voices within and between countries. The International School Leadership Development Network (ISLDN) was formed in 2009 and has had scholars from more than 20 countries involved (Barnett & Woods, 2021). In response to the pandemic, the ISLDN embarked on a study that analyzed the impact Covid-19 had on the school leaders and the way that they lead. The study captures a unique timeframe as the school leaders were still leading through the pandemic and adjusting to leadership after a global pandemic. In this book we are using these cases to describe how principals not only led their schools during the pandemic, but what they are doing as we come out of the pandemic.What makes this book different from many of the other publications about education and the pandemic is: A) Principal voice is often missing from research and writing about the educational impact of the COVID pandemic. B) The book draws upon empirical research conducted in 2022. It is reporting on principal case studies collected as part of the research of the International School Leadership Development Network. There are 37 principal cases from seven countries, and 25 writers. These cases have not been reported elsewhere and were collected especially for the book. C) The cases are focused not only on how principals led their school through the pandemic, but how they are leading beyond the pandemic. A feature of the cases is reflection on enduring changes to education and the implications for future educational leadership. D) Whilst principals discuss their responses to the various mandates and pressures, and what worked well and what could have been done better, they also reflect on the support they gave others, and the support they got.