This book presents a fascinating insight into what life is often really like at the chalk face of school leadership. Within a firm academic framework it shows how experienced and effective headteachers approach and deal with the daily issues which affect their lives and the lives of staff and students. All school leaders at whatever stage of their careers will gain something from this book, which fully engages the reader but never becomes a manual. This book is essential reading for anyone who aspires to become a headteacher.

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

For any serving school leader or for anyone with aspiration for school leadership this book by Richard and David will provide useful advice, give some insight into the challenges, but most importantly of all will provide a motivation to get involved in a leadership career with the richest rewards. How nice to have a book that is easy to read, has complete intellectual clarity and is unburdened by the shackles that often inhibit a traditional academic publication.
A quote from the book is “find people in your school and outside it whose opinions and judgement you can trust and use them as sounding boards”. The authors of this book can be trusted and this publication can be a great sounding board for any serious school leader.

Mike Griffiths, Principal, The Samworth Church Academy

In writing a book so refreshingly clear, thoughtful and, ultimately, optimistic about modern headship, Parker and David Middlewood have done the profession a great service.

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