Leadership attributes that support school improvement : A realist approach

Journal article


Carrington, Suzanne, Spina, Nerida, Kimber, Megan, Spooner-Lane, Rebecca and Williams, Kate E.. (2022). Leadership attributes that support school improvement : A realist approach. School Leadership and Management. 42(2), pp. 151-169. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2021.2016686
AuthorsCarrington, Suzanne, Spina, Nerida, Kimber, Megan, Spooner-Lane, Rebecca and Williams, Kate E.
Abstract

School improvement reforms aimed at achieving improved student learning remain high on the agenda for leaders across the globe. The purpose of this paper is to understand the leadership attributes that enable school leaders to bring about positive change. This qualitative study is based on interviews with school leaders (school principals and their deputy principals) and focus groups of six teachers in two case study schools. A realist approach is used to understand how leadership attributes spark related social mechanisms that lead to improved outcomes. Data analysis generated four leadership attributes: (1) valuing diversity, (2) support for staff, (3) collaborative leadership style, and (4) valuing teachers’ professional learning. Each of these was found to have influenced decision-making and sentiment, which generated positive school improvement outcomes in the two case study schools. These findings have the potential to contribute to professional learning which can improve understanding of how leadership attributes in context bring about school improvement.

Keywordsschool leadership; school improvement; leader attributes; realist approach
Year2022
JournalSchool Leadership and Management
Journal citation42 (2), pp. 151-169
PublisherRoutledge
ISSN1363-2434
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2021.2016686
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85122063548
Page range151-169
FunderQueensland Department of Education
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online29 Dec 2021
Publication process dates
Accepted22 Oct 2021
Deposited04 Jul 2023
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https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8z364/leadership-attributes-that-support-school-improvement-a-realist-approach

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