As Others See Us: Senior management and subject staff perceptions of the work effectiveness of subject leaders in secondary schools

Abstract

This article examines the perceptions held by senior managers and subject teachers of the participation in policy development and leadership offered by subject leaders (traditionally known as heads of department) in 24 secondary schools. Much depends upon the readiness of subject leaders to embrace newer approaches including monitoring and evaluation, and of senior managers to empower them to undertake their work. By examining the relationship between senior management and subject staff perceptions in the schools, we conclude that those schools which value and develop their subject leaders, often through reformed structures, are more likely to be those schools in which the subject staff feel that they are well led.