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Headteacher Recruitment, Retention and Professional Development in Wales: Challenges and Opportunities
Andrew James Davies 
,
Emmajane Milton,
Mark Connolly,
Rhian Barrance
,
Emmajane Milton,
Mark Connolly,
Rhian Barrance
Cylchgrawn Addysg Cymru / Wales Journal of Education, Volume: 20, Issue: 2, Pages: 204 - 224
Swansea University Author:
Andrew James Davies
DOI (Published version): 10.16922/wje.20.2.11
Abstract
This article explores issues of headteacher recruitment, retention and professional development in Wales, within the context of the wider educational policy reforms which, since 2011, have introduced greater external accountability into schools. The paper argues that these reforms have resulted in c...
| Published in: | Cylchgrawn Addysg Cymru / Wales Journal of Education |
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| ISSN: | 2059-3708 |
| Published: |
University of Wales Press/Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru
2018
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66330 |
| Abstract: |
This article explores issues of headteacher recruitment, retention and professional development in Wales, within the context of the wider educational policy reforms which, since 2011, have introduced greater external accountability into schools. The paper argues that these reforms have resulted in changes to headteachers' professional roles and identities and that some aspects have militated against headteachers' cultivation and exercising of their 'professional capital' (Hargreaves and Fullan, 2012). The data is derived from thirty semi-structured interviews conducted with headteachers, deputy and assistant heads throughout Wales. Participants' accounts articulate concerns that greater accountability within the Welsh system is acting as a disincentive to headteacher recruitment, and that head-teachers often lack independent sources of support, advice and mentoring, which they can access without the burden of additional scrutiny and accountability. The article concludes by offering a series of observations and recommendations to inform recent renewed efforts to create a new support infrastructure and framework for the development of educational leadership in Wales. |
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| Keywords: |
Wales; headteacher recruitment; professional capital; headteacher professional development |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Issue: |
2 |
| Start Page: |
204 |
| End Page: |
224 |