Abstract
Summary. A 40‐item Likert‐type attitude inventory was completed by a sample of 478 primary school heads and deputy heads. The instrument consisted of items relating to attitudes to deputy headship obtained from interviews and a pilot study. A first order factor analysis yielded 10 factors, eight of which were interpreted as bureaucratic organisation, control of teaching, interpersonal relations with staff, career orientation, man‐in‐the‐middle, collegiality, status in school, and allegiance to the head. A second order analysis indicated that the deputy head may fulfil three major functions: co‐leader of the school on a par with the head, facilitating foreman, and expressive leader of teachers. Because these aspects may represent incompatible demands, it is suggested that deputy heads are especially vulnerable to role conflict.
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