ABSTRACT
Upon appointment the beginning teacher joins a school or college, an organisation which is pursuing specific goals, structured with a formal pattern of authority which in most cases is a hierarchical system topped by a headteacher or principal. One of the key insights which a new teacher can gain about their chosen work is to begin to understand that each workplace has its culture, ethos, tradition, rituals and rules. Another key understanding is that there are many different roles and tasks involved in formal learning that may be understood with reference to important concepts such as management, leadership and bureaucracy. These refer to arrangements, relationships and practices that may or may not support creativity and that permit particular notions of professionality to prevail.
