An investigation into the leadership of successful, strategic and sustainable primary schools

Thomas, Alan, Ed.D.

Abstract

The investigation is based on the premise that there is a need to create primary schools whose success can be sustained long term. It is thought that creating such schools would be of direct benefit to pupils, schools, the education system and society. Education has been a major priority of the government since 1997: it has invested significantly in schools in the expectation that standards would continuously improve. Short term actions to raise standards and improve performance in primary schools are both necessary and valuable. However by themselves they are inadequate. They need to be supported by a more strategic and sustainable approach. To ensure sustainability of success, schools need a dual commitment to the short term and the long term. Crucial to a school’s sustainable success is the effective leadership of the headteacher and leadership within the school at all levels. In particular it is the quality of the strategic dimension of the headteacher’s leadership, what strategic capacities he or she models and how they are developed in leaders at all levels. The investigation focuses on the headteachers of successful primary schools and is essentially about leadership and how it impacts upon success. It is assumed that success is the desired outcome for all schools and government, although the criteria for success may vary considerably. While there is much common ground between ‘sustainability’ and ‘strategy’, it is perceived that sustainability is the continuous and long term goal and strategy is a means of achieving it.

Citation

Thomas, A. E. An investigation into the leadership of successful, strategic and sustainable primary schools. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4208420

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 15, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 22, 2023
• Keywords: Education
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4208420
• Additional Information: Centre for Educational Studies, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2008