Read more
Being an effective headteacher requires a combination of leadership skills. What does an aspiring head need to know to win the 'headship game'?
Tessa Atton and Brian Fiddler focus on particular pressure points and key issues that can be particularly problematic and suggest ways of dealing with them. Comparisons are made between headships and chief executive roles of other organisations and extensive examples are included from current headteachers to illustrate aspects of the job which they find most challenging.
The authors also examine the career of headship from application to retirement and emphasize the need to learn about leadership before becoming a head. Using examples of current headship practice, they suggest ways of developing good practice further. Some of the issues covered in this practical guide include:
* development of leadership thought
* achieving headship
* selecting and supporting headteachers
* understanding the demands of contemporary headship
* after headship.
The Headship Game will be a valuable resource for current and aspiring headteachers, deputy heads and those on NPQH courses.
List of contents
Part 1. History and Theories of Leadership 1. Recent Developments in Headship 2. Development of Leadership Thought and its Application to Schools Part 2. Learning and Playing the Game: Current headship practice 3. Learning about the Job of Headteacher and its Contemporary Demands 4. Understanding the External Demands 5. Understanding the Internal Demands 6. Selecting and Supporting New Headteachers 7. Achieving Headship 8. The Career of Headship 9. Life Cycle of a Head: Becoming a head 10. Life Cycle of a Head: Being a head Part 3. Playing Longer 11. Keeping Moving: Successive headships, revitalisation and work after headship 12. Stress and Challenges: Trio of tensions - governors, school and head Part 4. Playing Better 13. Where Next?The future
About the author
Brian Fidler is Professor at the School Improvement and Leadership Centre at the University of Reading
Tessa Atton is a trainer and a former Acting Headteacher.
Summary
This practical guide uses case studies, helpful advice, and personal accounts from working headteachers to suggest useful ways of dealing with particular pressure points, and examine the career of headship from application to retirement.
