Wisdom and bus schedules: Developing school leadership

Abstract

This article is based on a synthesis study of school leadership development conducted for the National College of School Leadership (NCSL) in England. It first outlines a perspective on leadership focusing on the concepts of wisdom, deliberation and higher order capacities. Then it describes and assesses two distinct models of leadership learning, emphasising the importance of 'basic' management knowledge, skills and processes. There is a discussion of approaches to the choice of methods for leadership development, taking account of evidence about the preferences of participants. Several developing conditions for which school leaders need to be equipped are identified and discussed. Among the conclusions proposed for policy, practice and research are the need for a closer alignment of leadership development with career development and a better understanding of the attributes and skills that underlie the higher order capacities