ABSTRACT
A compulsory educational programme for school leaders (heads/principals and deputy heads/principals) in Sweden is discussed in the light of educational research on change and development. The educational programme is two years long and consists of three components – courses, home periods and ‘socially aimed practice’ whose purposes are described. The origin and the methods of the educational programme are illuminated through a discussion of the research experiences and commission work which had an impact on the programme. This discussion is conducted in the light of the three main targets for the educational programme – the development of the school, the development of the school leader role and the personal development of the school leader who takes part in the programme.
