Leading to Success: Judging Success in Primary Schools in Challenging Circumstances
by Stephen Englefield
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Overview
This research paper from school principal, Stephen Englefield, looks at critical success factors in managing primary schools whose contexts are regarded as challenging. Englefield interviewed 14 UK primary principals working a mixture of challenging contexts from inner city deprivation and rural isolation, to schools with a diverse community cultural mix. Each of these principals was recognised as ‘successful’.
The key features of these principals’ leadership and management styles are consistent with those outlined by the Hay / McBer Models of Excellence for School Leaders.
In addition, the principals in the research project demonstrated distinctive leadership activities in their schools, including:
- creating a positive environment for learning, by emphasising outcomes in a ‘we can do this’ culture
- building a culture where there was a belief that all children could learn and succeed
- displaying a concern for the welfare and educational experiences of all the students in their care
- building in the school a strong sense of community, as well as a strong knowledge and awareness of the wider school community
- ensuring rigorous and accurate assessments of students’ progress
- finding additional success indicators to academic outcomes in order to celebrate students’ progress and the school’s successes
- developing strategies to improve student behaviour.
Reflective questions
These reflective questions might assist your reading of this article:
- Do you think that this research has relevance for all school contexts or just those considered challenging?
- Of these distinctive leadership activities which resonate with you as a leader?
References
Englefield, S. (2002). Leading to success: Judging success in primary schools in challenging circumstances. National College for School Leadership.
Hay Group (for Department of Education and Employment). (2000, June). Models of Excellence for School Leaders. National College for School Leadership
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