UK sets standard on school leadership

By Lauren Higgs Wednesday, 03 September 2008

The UK is at the cutting edge of school leadership development, according to a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Head teachers earn most in England

Improving School Leadership, which evaluated 22 countries, said the UK leads the field in head teacher development and singled out the English approach as an example of best practice. It also found head teachers in England earn more than in any other country examined.

Mick Brookes, general secretary at the National Association of Head Teachers, said England has an innovative approach to school leadership but warned the report must not mask the challenges facing UK heads.

"We need to reduce the sense of vulnerability associated with becoming a school leader and stop head teachers from feeling they are only as good as their last exam results or Ofsted report," he said.

Brookes also said head teachers in England are paid more than in other countries because their jobs are more difficult. "The truth is, when you look at the responsibilities our school leaders have, they are far and away more challenging than in the other 21 countries."

John Dunford, general secretary at the Association of School and College Leaders, agreed head teachers in England face different problems to their counterparts abroad. "School leaders in England have more autonomy than in most other countries and are more likely to have to work in partnership with colleagues at other schools," he said.

However, Nansi Ellis, head of education policy at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, took issue with the OECD's conclusion that head teachers in England are better off than their colleagues abroad.

"Head teachers in England are under a huge amount of pressure because of league tables," she said. "Running the largest schools is similar to running a company with all the personnel, financial, planning, environmental and political issues added to the education issues they face. Heads' pay reflects the complexity of the job and the difficulties recruiting head teachers."

The OECD said all the countries examined could do more to improve school leadership, despite examples of good practice, and suggested improving national recruitment strategies.

- www.cypnow.co.uk/doc.