ABSTRACT
Effective performance management depends upon effective leadership and good management at all levels. Leadership comes first of all from the head-teacher, whose vision for the school should empower other members of staff. Good leaders spend time getting to know well those they lead, they communicate well and explain things clearly, they keep cool and calm in difficult situations, they lead by example and are considerate in dealing with others, listening to what they say and encouraging them. The major responsibility for leadership and management in the school is that of the headteacher. Elliott suggests that 'the role of the leader is to share a vision of the future direction with other staff, to steer the organisation, to negotiate and seek to balance the needs of different stakeholder groups, to shape the organisational culture and keep within the budget'.
