Researching reciprocal leadership: using the consciousness quotient inventory (CQ-i) as a pilot methodology to explore leadership with the context of a school–university partnership.

This article looks at the potential of using an online self-completing inventory that measures leadership consciousness awareness. The Consciousness Quotient inventory (CQ-i) has been developed to encourage leaders to be more conscious of their ability to be accountable and responsible for their leadership practice. The CQ-i as a method for researching leadership is piloted here between a university academic and a primary headteacher in the context of a school–university partnership. Pilot outcomes reveal that the inventory can be used as an evaluation of partnership work and ways of thinking about leadership on two levels: the personal and the partnership. The method is somewhat limited by a lack of distinctive criteria for personal domain statements and the absence of an overall profile outcome for the CQ score. Its strength lies in the way the outcomes of the inventory can be used as a starting point for personal reflection on leadership and as a vehicle for discussing a range of different ways of leadership working within different settings, such as school and university contexts.N/

The sociology of disability and the struggle for inclusive education

This article charts the emergence of the sociology of disability and examines the areas of contestation. These have involved a series of erasures – of the body from debates on the social model of disability, of the Other from educational policies and practices, and of academics from political discourses and action. The paper considers the contribution of the sociology of disability to inclusive education and examines some of the objections currently being voiced. It ends with some reflections on the possibilities for academics within the sociology of disability to pursue alternative forms of engagement and outlines a series of duties that they might undertake

Class acts: breaking the achievement barrier

ABSTRACTThis article summarises the findings of a project researching the features of school leadership associated with very successful outcomes for white working class pupils. The research was commissioned jointly by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National College for School Leadership (NCSL). The authors report that the key strategies adopted by these leaders are similar to those already associated with success in challenging circumstances. They conclude that these leaders show particular characteristics and personality traits which are needed to apply the strategies successfully

High-Level Leadership: Improving Outcomes in Educational Settings

A pupil's academic, technical and social capacity will set the limits to their success or failure. Therefore, educational outcomes and well-being for young people across emerging and developed economies and the crucial role of education and leaders of education has never been more important. Schools are under pressure to think more clearly about their place in children's lives, their relationship with civic institutions and their contribution to community. The pressure translates into a requirement for high quality learning in classrooms and more besides. The processes inside schools, the organisation of school systems and the relationship between communities and educators are critical elements in a complex mix that must balance correctly if it is to benefit school children properly. Using the term "high leverage leadership" to describe leadership that is associated with higher outcomes than would normally be found in similar contexts, this timely book: - Provides an overview of the development of educational leadership research - demonstrates how successful educational leaders apply contextual, social and professional expertise to the three distinctive leadership tasks of navigation, management and partnership - offers an insight into the complexity of the educational leadership and practices of teachers who, against the odds, produce high outcomes for young people - validates the idea that a renovation of educational leadership is necessary to maximise educational outcomes. High Leverage Leadership will be an indispensible text for school leaders, public sector officers, post-graduate students and researchers in leadership, policy, school improvement and educational change