Primary Headteachers’ Careers: a survey of primary school heads with particular reference to women's career trajectories

Abstract

This paper presents some of the findings of a survey of the career trajectories of 287 primary headteachers in one local education authority (LEA). Women were found to be particularly underrepresented in the larger primary schools and this phenomenon is considered in relation to level of qualifications; geographical mobility; age on first appointment to headship; and whether or not a career break was taken. The career aspirations and expectations of both men and women heads are also examined. It is argued that there is a need for recent survey data to complement the existing ethnographic data on teachers’ careers.