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ABSTRACT
This paper looks at the impact of the ‘Revolution’ on the work and role of the headteacher. The author assesses the strengths and weaknesses of Local Management of Schools and comes to the view that, on balance, the revolution had a positive effect on schools. He looks at the increasing range of headteacher accountabilities and welcomes the greater lay participation in the educational process, while recognising the impact it has had on the job of the head. Looking to the future, he expects the New Labour government to continue many aspects of the philosophy of their predecessors: rigour, efficiency, relentless pursuit of school improvement, extended accountabilities, including a greater role for parents and pupils. With a new role for the LEA as an enabler and monitor rather than as a controller, he hopes for a period of greater cooperation between schools and for a more cohesive and cost‐effective public service. He ends with his anxiety lest the aspirations of New Labour for greater achievement by more pupils will be put in jeopardy by an unwillingness to recognise the resource implications of their ambitious programme.