Gaining Entry: Challenges for the novice headteacher

ABSTRACT We are currently in a period of development in society when governments are concerned with raising the standards of education. In order to achieve this they are not only looking at levels of pupil attainment and the quality of teaching, they are also evaluating the efficiency of the management of the schools themselves. For newly appointed, novice headteachers this is a daunting time within which to take up their new appointments. This case study follows the entry of one headteacher during her first year of acceptance by her staff in the school. The views of the headteacher, middle management teachers, class teachers and parents are all considered during this 12 month longitudinal exploration. The evidence indicated a whirlwind of staff tensions as the old traditions of a failing school were being challenged by the determination of the new leader. The complexity of the emerging issues showed that nearly everybody connected with the school was personally or professionally involved. The requirement...