ABSTRACT
Attachment was once a very controversial theory of human development. Applying it to education may ignite a new controversy, as it represents a very different lens through which to view professional relationships in schools and challenges the way teachers have viewed their roles as educators. In this chapter and the next, I present a broad outline of the whole theory before concentrating on the specifi c components relevant to teachers’ and school leaders’ professional relationships. To date these concepts have remained largely within the domain of psychology. Yet the concepts are equally relevant to educators of all descriptions. By delineating this overlapping space between psychodynamic psychology and education, my aim is to explain the teaching process in new and useful ways to teachers, pre-service teachers, their mentors and leaders.
