TRAINING for aspiring headteachers has more impact on those in primary than secondary education. This could be due to the different management cultures.
After studying coursework from 31 would-be heads preparing for the Scottish Qualification for Headship, researchers found primary candidates were more likely to have a “balanced” approach, which took into account factors such as internal politics and the impact of the actions of others.
Secondary candidates, with a more technical focus on getting jobs done, were less likely to be evaluative of their practice.
Secondary candidates, already experienced managers, apparently came to the course with more fixed ideas and were less open to change than primary colleagues who were still largely classroom based.
“Culture and concepts of school leadership and management” by Jenny Reeves, Eileen Turner and Brian Morris (Stirling University) and Christine Forde (Glasgow University).
