The role of the effective subject leader: perspectives from practitioners in secondary schools.

Abstract

In a report by Bennett et al. (2003) for the National College of School Leadership on the role and purpose of middle leaders (Subject Leaders) in secondary schools, two areas were identified for further research. First was the nature of effective subject leadership and second, the Subject Leader's pivotal role in leading and managing cultural change and the extent to which they are creating a "new professionalism" that tackles the tension of managerial and educational aims (NCSL, 2003: 18). This paper considers evidence (Poultney, 2006) from Subject and Senior teachers and their Subject Leaders about their perceptions of characteristics of effective subject leadership.