Student leadership development in Australian and New Zealand secondary girls’ schools: a staff perspective

Abstract

This paper reports on a qualitative study regarding the phenomenon of student leadership development as reported by staff members in girls’ schools located in Australia and New Zealand. Electronic survey was used as the method of data collection, facilitating both closed and open-ended responses. Using staff responses, the understanding and type of leadership practised in schools was assessed. The situations where girls were described as successful and unsuccessful leaders and the perceived barriers in relation to girls’ leadership development are also reported. Participants have made recommendations for improvement to this area. The results of this study found that leadership development was being actively pursued with positive results. However, factors such as gender and peer relations were named as possible negative influences on the leadership development of girls. This research marks the beginning of study into this area and would benefit from a comparison to the perspectives of female students for further understanding.