Prospecting for support in a wild environment: investigating a school-to-school support system for primary school leaders

Abstract

This paper draws on data collected from a series of semi-structured interviews with head teachers and other stakeholders on the impact and effectiveness of the introduction of a Primary School Improvement Group (PSIG) by the Local Authority (LA). The PSIG was introduced as a response to concerns expressed by the Department of Education about the perceived levels of underperformance by some primary schools in the city. Operating against a background of national policy developments, the LA developed a programme that enabled head teachers of highly effective schools to support senior staff in schools facing difficulty.

Keywords:

• school improvement
• school effectiveness
• Local Authorities
• leadership development

Notes on contributors

Ian Abbott is Director of the Institute of Education, University of Warwick.

David Middlewood is a Research Fellow in the Institute of Education, University of Warwick.

Susan Robinson is a former head teacher, now employed as a tutor for the University of Warwick, as a National College Associate and a Regional Director of the Elliot Foundation.