In Search of the X Factor: The Secret of Maintaining Continuous School Success
by Marie Graham
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Overview
There are two aspects to this article, both of which could be useful to school leaders. First there is the research project itself. A group of principals from different types of schools came together on a regular basis to provide mutual support, collaboration, and discussion in order to improve their leadership skills.
Out of this they developed a research project to test set assumptions about effective leadership. The group collected data by interviewing principals from a range of schools. They analysed the data and developed a report.
This is an example of one way in which principals can collaborate for professional learning, and also to develop their research skills and knowledge. The article reports on the success of this as a project to stimulate professional growth and further school-based research.
The second aspect of the article is in the focus of the research. This was to identify the features of effective school leadership that led to successful school improvement. In this respect the article is perhaps less innovative. However it does provide a basic set of criteria for holding discussions about school improvement and ways to achieve it.
Reflective questions
These reflective questions might guide you in your reading of this article:
- What areas do you see as critical in your school if you are to be involved in continuous school improvement? What resources do you need? What strategies do you use to motivate your staff?
- Are you involved in a support or cluster group with other school principals? Are there ways in which this group could engage in research projects of mutual interest, which could be reported at conferences or published in set: Research Information for Teachers, for example?
Further information
Link to the UK’s Centre for the Use of Research and Evidence in Education (CUREE) website:
References
Graham, M. (2004). In Search of the X Factor: The secret of maintaining continuous school success. National College for School Leadership Research Publications.
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