ABSTRACT
In our general introduction to the case studies, we referred to three themes underlying our understanding of the essential nature of the headship role: leadership, management and changing external relations. In a sense, leadership and management skills are inextricably interrelated aspects of a single role, that of the Headteacher. But not only of the Headteacher, for these qualities are called for from all teachers, within whatever more limited framework they are given the opportunity to exercise them. In the case studies we have seen examples of strong leadership associated with developing arrangements involving the participation of all members of staff in consultation about curriculum change and the use of resources. Staff development and the introduction of job descriptions defining teachers’ beyond-class responsibilities are extending the managerial role of the individual teacher beyond the traditional class-teaching role, in which the exercise of management skills was restricted to the single class.
