ABSTRACT
FOne of the most important aspects of the senior management role is planning and policy making, sometimes described as 'promoting' or 'managing the mission'. It is an emotive image, suggesting that the headteacher is some kind of visionary dedicated to carrying out his or her educational mission. The concept of a headteacher as a missionary does have its own distinct charm, but after one has laughed a little, there is some mileage in following the idea through.
