UNLOCKING THE KEY TO "ENCHANTED HEADTEACHERS"

21 May 2002 01:14 PM

Research from the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) sheds new light on long serving head teachers who retain a positive and vibrant attitude to the job.

The survey, carried out by Ronnie Woods, a Research Associate for NCSL and head of Cleadon Village Junior School in South Tyneside, has produced compelling evidence of common characteristics among school leaders who continue to rise to the challenges of the job after many years in post.

His Practitioner Enquiry Report "Enchanted Headteachers" - among the first to be published by the College - demonstrates that many heads retain a drive and effectiveness that needs to be celebrated and learned from.

Woods recognised that established heads who had been in post for a decade or more, fell into two clear camps: those who felt overwhelmed with the job of head and those who continued to have an energy and enthusiasm for the job. "Previous research evidence suggested that there is an inevitable disenchantment after about ten years in the post. I had witnessed this first hand but also recognised that there were heads who were quite the opposite - what I term 'enchanted.'"

He looked at 13 primary Heads in the North East who fulfilled three criteria: they had been in post for at least ten years; were judged by OFSTED to be leading successful schools; and were deemed by their LEA to be enthusiastic professionals.

"I was able to identify six characteristics in the 13 Heads," says Woods. "They have pride in everything they do, have a closeness to their pupils and enjoy teaching, have respect for others, embrace change, are good listeners and have a modest image of themselves."

Woods was given 50 days to complete his research - a relatively short time span but one that meant that his work had a freshness, currency and relevance for other teachers.

Woods was one of the first school leaders to win an Associateship with NCSL. The Research Associates Programme offers school leaders the chance to carry out research into leadership on behalf of NCSL. The role also involves raising the profile of research in schools, representing NCSL at conferences and building a cadre of heads who believe in research.

For Woods, the role has brought many benefits to him and his school: "The time out of school allowed me to read widely and reflect on my work - I could go back to school refreshed and with a new perspective. On returning, I noted that colleagues had taken on initiatives and grown in their role - that made me recognise that to be a good Head I didn't necessarily have to take a leading part in every aspect of the school's work.

"The College is a new organisation and I felt energy, enthusiasm and motivation from my contact with people there. I'd strongly recommend the Associates Programme to any colleague."

All Practitioner Enquiry Reports are available from Amanda Hatchett, NCSL, Jubilee Campus, Wollaton Road, Nottingham, NG6 1BB, by faxing a request to 0115 84 66952 or by visiting
www.ncsl.org.uk/researchassociates.

Press contacts:
Ronnie Woods, Cleadon Village Junior School - 0191 536 7813 Claire Gould, NCSL Media Relations Manager - 0115 846 7048.

Ronnie Woods' report "Enchanted Headteachers" is one of the first six Practitioner Enquiry Reports to be published by NCSL. The other five reports are:

- Leading Learning: Instructional leadership in infant schools, by Susan Benson (Headteacher of Alwyn Infant and Nursery School, Maidenhead).

- Winning Hearts and Minds: Leadership and performance management, by Michael Crane (Headteacher of John Port School, Derbyshire).

- Leading to Success: Judging success in primary schools in challenging contexts, by Stephen Englefield (Headteacher of Brownhill Primary School, Leeds).

- No Regrets? Starting secondary headship, by Alan Sieber (Headteacher of County High School Leftwich, Cheshire).

- IcT's About Learning: School leadership and the effective integration of information and communications technology, by Ken Walsh (Headteacher of King Edward VII School, Melton Mowbray).

The Research Associates programme is a means for school leaders to learn from each other about the best practices of school leadership. It also contributes to the Associate's own professional development.

Headteachers awarded Associateships receive funding for the provision of temporary cover so they can be released from school for an agreed number of days per year. The research period can vary from 2 terms to three years. Research Associates are appointed three times a year.

The National College for School Leadership was launched by the Prime Minister in November 2000 to provide continual training, recognition and support for England's school leaders. The College is based in interim accommodation on the Jubilee Campus of the University of Nottingham. A £25m state of the art building is to open in September.

E : claire.gould@ncsl.org.uk W : www.ncsl.org.uk T: 0115 846 7048