The under‐representation of women in senior management in UK independent secondary schools

Abstract

Statistics show that women are under‐represented in senior management posts in UK independent schools, especially in the secondary sector. Reviews recent studies on women in senior roles in independent schools, concentrating on the secondary sector and comparing the situation with some studies from the maintained sector. Suggests that much needs to be done to improve the status of women in many independent schools, but that further research needs to be done across the whole independent secondary sector to assess how widespread negative attitudes are. Also suggests that training courses should be suited to women’s needs and that mentoring should be more widely available.