Headteacher performance management: an investigation of the role of the governor

Abstract

This paper looks critically at the government's year 2000 initiative to make school governors responsible for headteacher performance management (HTPM). A case study, carried out at John Wiseman Community Primary School by the author as an insider-researcher, is augmented by questionnaire and interview data from other institutions. Critical incident analysis illuminates the procedures and problems of HTPM. The role of the government's appointed external adviser is considered. Results suggest HTPM by governors can be effective in circumstances which are defined by the study. The paper suggests a series of criteria that describe successful HTPM.

Notes

1. Confidentiality and ethics preclude the inclusion of more specific targets.

2. Governors who are teachers or members of staff at the school must not be involved in the head's review (DfEE, 2000, p. 4).

3. Governors who are teachers or members of staff at other schools are not precluded from being involved in HTPM in the school in which they are a governor.