Heads 'Were Leaders When Pupils'

Thu, May 04, 2006

Source: BBC

Almost three out of every four head teachers in leading independent girls' schools held leadership positions as pupils, a survey indicates.

Almost three out of every four head teachers in leading independent girls' schools held leadership positions as pupils, a survey indicates.
 
One in three was a prefect, one in four head boy or girl, and one in five captain of a school sports team, the Girls' Schools Association found.

It surveyed its 205 members, getting responses from 106 women and 13 men.

Faced with an "imminent shortage" of heads, the GSA aimed to discover what made them successful and happy.

 
 There is an apparently widespread lack of understanding regarding the personal and professional development needs of heads

GSA president Dr Brenda Despontin
Of those who responded, 7% had grown up wanting to be head teachers, 24% chose to pursue headships as soon as they began teaching, and 23% just "drifted" into the role, often guided by others.

GSA president Brenda Despontin said: "This lack of a clear career path and the almost accidental arrival at the head's desk suggest the importance of encouraging those with potential to find out about the role, to access the training available and to talk to those in post in a range of schools."

The aspect of their job that gave the respondents most satisfaction was witnessing the development of their pupils, staff and school.

Least satisfying were "staff issues" - dealing with petty disputes and poor teaching, "increasing bureaucracy" and "rude, unreasonable or litigious parents".

But there is little chance for them to unwind - more than nine out of every 10 of the head teachers said they worked above 60 hours every week.

And two out of every five worked more than 70 hours.

More than nine out of every 10 also rated having "emotional stamina" and "a sense of humour" as essential to their role.

But only 53% thought "academic excellence" was as important.

Next generation

Dr Despontin, headmistress of Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls, admits "headships can be demanding and isolating", but says the GSA can offer support "when a critical incident or difficult situation occurs".

It would now use the results of the survey to develop more specific training, mentoring and networking opportunities to encourage the "strong, visionary heads" of the future, she added.

"Headship deserves to be treated as any other senior position in business would be, yet there is an apparently widespread lack of understanding regarding the personal and professional development needs of heads."

Asked how they were encouraging the next generation of head teachers, 52% of respondents said they supported applications and promoted staff development, and 28% said they gave their teachers opportunities to lead. 

BBC