Instructional leadership and school improvement

Abstract

It is now more than twenty years since leadership was identified as one of the key components of 'good schools' by HMI who stated that, without exception, the most important single factor in the success of these schools is the quality of the leadership of the head (DES, 1977: 36) . Since that time the changes imposed upon the UK education system and indeed most other 'developed' educational systems have radically altered the role and responsibilities of the headteacher or principal. In particular, the devolution of responsibility for local management of schools in many systems has resulted in the headteacher or principal becoming a manager of systems and budgets as well as a leader of colleagues. Also, the increasingly competitive environment in which schools operate has placed a much greater emphasis upon the need to raise standards and to improve the outcomes of schooling.