Nicholas H Foskett - Böcker

`One of the difficulties with the production of a book that describes the international terrain of leadership and management is that political and social contexts in which policy and practice occur are multi-dimensional. Yet the authors have successfully woven a narrative that engages the reader and helps shape our understanding of diverse ways in which leading and managing occurs in a range of countries. In particular I found the examples regarding schools, resources and teachers' professional work from developing countries a disturbing component of what could be termed the trauma of leadership in those sites. These examples serviced to enrich my own understanding and provide further evidence that there can be no framework or paradigm for understanding leadership and management in a global context' - Educational Review

`Foskett and Lumby's book forms an important and a timely contribution to comparative international studies of educational leadership…. In challenging a range of deeply embedded suppositions about leading and managing in education the authors remind us regularly that the mightiest task of even the most accomplished transformational leader, or radical government policy, is to transform values, attitudes and professional culture. So this exposition of similarities and contrasts in practices makes a useful contribution to the literature on educational leadership in this country and beyond' - David Wood, Journal of Inservice Education

This accessible book provides a critical review of educational leadership and management from an international perspective. It addresses the expectation that practitioners and students of educational management and administration will have an international perspective on their roles, responsibilities and tasks. Increasingly, teachers as education leaders are expected to keep pace with developments in other school and college systems, and to engage with international networks to debate and exchange practical experience.

The book covers a series of key themes in educational leadership, drawing on a wide range of examples, including:

- Learners and learning

- People and communities in education

- Managing strategy and resources

- Learning futures and the changing challenges for educational leaders.

In this context the authors:

- Describe the international landscape of leadership and management.

- Provide an overview of practice in different national settings.

- Identify global patterns and trends.

- Challenge some of the accepted norms in leadership and management.

- Build managers' confidence as part of a global community of professional educators.

- Support informed choice about policy and practice from government to school.

This is a key text for students of educational leadership and management as well as for managers and administrators in schools, colleges and other educational settings.

`One of the difficulties with the production of a book that describes the international terrain of leadership and management is that political and social contexts in which policy and practice occur are multi-dimensional. Yet the authors have successfully woven a narrative that engages the reader and helps shape our understanding of diverse ways in which leading and managing occurs in a range of countries. In particular I found the examples regarding schools, resources and teachers' professional work from developing countries a disturbing component of what could be termed the trauma of leadership in those sites. These examples serviced to enrich my own understanding and provide further evidence that there can be no framework or paradigm for understanding leadership and management in a global context' - Educational Review

`Foskett and Lumby's book forms an important and a timely contribution to comparative international studies of educational leadership…. In challenging a range of deeply embedded suppositions about leading and managing in education the authors remind us regularly that the mightiest task of even the most accomplished transformational leader, or radical government policy, is to transform values, attitudes and professional culture. So this exposition of similarities and contrasts in practices makes a useful contribution to the literature on educational leadership in this country and beyond' - David Wood, Journal of Inservice Education

This accessible book provides a critical review of educational leadership and management from an international perspective. It addresses the expectation that practitioners and students of educational management and administration will have an international perspective on their roles, responsibilities and tasks. Increasingly, teachers as education leaders are expected to keep pace with developments in other school and college systems, and to engage with international networks to debate and exchange practical experience.

The book covers a series of key themes in educational leadership, drawing on a wide range of examples, including:

- Learners and learning

- People and communities in education

- Managing strategy and resources

- Learning futures and the changing challenges for educational leaders.

In this context the authors:

- Describe the international landscape of leadership and management.

- Provide an overview of practice in different national settings.

- Identify global patterns and trends.

- Challenge some of the accepted norms in leadership and management.

- Build managers' confidence as part of a global community of professional educators.

- Support informed choice about policy and practice from government to school.

This is a key text for students of educational leadership and management as well as for managers and administrators in schools, colleges and other educational settings.

'AT LAST, A BOOK ABOUT THIS MOST VEXED PART OF THE CURRICULUM WHICH IS OBJECTIVE, HONEST AND RESEARCH-BASED. These two well-established authors have done what even supposedly neutral writers of official reports have been unable to do and this is because they emerge as having only one 'axe to grind', namely what is best for the students and the country.

Showing only too clearly the confusions and competitions which have bedevilled provision for this age group, THE AUTHORS' VIEWS ARE CONVINCING AND CREDIBLE PARTLY BECAUSE-UNUSUALLY- THEY COME FROM NEITHER A 'PRO-SCHOOL' OR A 'PRO-COLLEGE' LOBBY.( Read , for example, the chapter on leadership to see how leaders in the two sectors-but providing for the same young people ! - can be seen being encouraged to move in different directions.) They rightly argue that this not the point. Although, like others, they argue that partnerships are the way ahead, they show that these so far have a poor record. Their arguments, all firmly based on clear analysis of the politics and resourcing of 14-19 education, and constantly referenced by the experiences of young people of fourteen to nineteen years, are set in a totally realistic perspective and, as they conclude, the price of future failure in this provision will be calamitous.

LEADERS IN BOTH THE SCHOOLS AND THE POST-16 SECTORS SHOULD READ THIS BOOK AND REFLECT ON THE WHOLE PICTURE IT OFFERS OF WHAT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. Policy makers should do the same but whether they have the will and courage to act accordingly is a matter for future debate' - David Middlewood

'The reform of the 14-19 stage of education and training in England is likely to be on the policy agenda for the next two decades, but until now our understanding of 14-19 education, like the stage itself, has been incoherent and fragmented. Lumby and Foskett provide a comprehensive, authoritative and readable account of the recent history and current state of 14-19 education. They challenge some of the myths and misconceptions that have grown up around it. I recommend this book to all people with an interest in 14-19 education in England and in the current attempts to reform it' - Professor David Raffe, Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh

Schools and colleges are being asked to deal with fundamental changes in 14-19 education. Designed to support policy makers, practitioners and students of education in improving their understanding of this phase of education, the authors present a discussion of the evolution of policy and practice across schools and colleges, and their possible future development.

A range of educational institutions are discussed with specific reference to changes in government policy, the curriculum, support services, and the advent of Learning and Skills Councils.

'AT LAST, A BOOK ABOUT THIS MOST VEXED PART OF THE CURRICULUM WHICH IS OBJECTIVE, HONEST AND RESEARCH-BASED. These two well-established authors have done what even supposedly neutral writers of official reports have been unable to do and this is because they emerge as having only one 'axe to grind', namely what is best for the students and the country.

Showing only too clearly the confusions and competitions which have bedevilled provision for this age group, THE AUTHORS' VIEWS ARE CONVINCING AND CREDIBLE PARTLY BECAUSE-UNUSUALLY- THEY COME FROM NEITHER A 'PRO-SCHOOL' OR A 'PRO-COLLEGE' LOBBY.( Read , for example, the chapter on leadership to see how leaders in the two sectors-but providing for the same young people ! - can be seen being encouraged to move in different directions.) They rightly argue that this not the point. Although, like others, they argue that partnerships are the way ahead, they show that these so far have a poor record. Their arguments, all firmly based on clear analysis of the politics and resourcing of 14-19 education, and constantly referenced by the experiences of young people of fourteen to nineteen years, are set in a totally realistic perspective and, as they conclude, the price of future failure in this provision will be calamitous.

LEADERS IN BOTH THE SCHOOLS AND THE POST-16 SECTORS SHOULD READ THIS BOOK AND REFLECT ON THE WHOLE PICTURE IT OFFERS OF WHAT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. Policy makers should do the same but whether they have the will and courage to act accordingly is a matter for future debate' - David Middlewood

'The reform of the 14-19 stage of education and training in England is likely to be on the policy agenda for the next two decades, but until now our understanding of 14-19 education, like the stage itself, has been incoherent and fragmented. Lumby and Foskett provide a comprehensive, authoritative and readable account of the recent history and current state of 14-19 education. They challenge some of the myths and misconceptions that have grown up around it. I recommend this book to all people with an interest in 14-19 education in England and in the current attempts to reform it' - Professor David Raffe, Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh

Schools and colleges are being asked to deal with fundamental changes in 14-19 education. Designed to support policy makers, practitioners and students of education in improving their understanding of this phase of education, the authors present a discussion of the evolution of policy and practice across schools and colleges, and their possible future development.

A range of educational institutions are discussed with specific reference to changes in government policy, the curriculum, support services, and the advent of Learning and Skills Councils.

`I was pleased to find that the work lived up to its title and covered both schools and college issues with equal thoroughness. This is a very readable, stimulating and valuable publication' - Mentoring & Tutoring

This book explores all the major aspects of managing external relations in schools of all phases, as well as in colleges.

The authors use empirical research evidence to analyze how schools and colleges can manage external relations to achieve productive and supportive relationships with their communities. They explore how a responsive philosophy and appropriate marketing can be adopted in order to ensure continuous development.