Brave Heads: How to lead a school without selling your soul - Softcover

Dave Harris

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1781350485 ISBN 13: 9781781350485

Publisher: Independent Thinking Press an imprint of Crown House Publishing, 2013

Why young people (and teachers) need their school leader to be brave now more than ever. School leadership brings with it tremendous pressure from the government for results at all costs. It`s the outcome that counts (and the league tables) not the process. Which means, now more than ever, for genuine leaders leading schools in the right direction for the right reasons, bravery is key. Dave Harris is well placed to write the ultimate guide to bravery in school leadership. As the principal of a high-profile brand-new Academy he has had to stand by his beliefs about the role of school and the community `It`s a marathon, not a sprint` despite the pressure to forget genuinely educating young people and just focus on `floor targets`. A book for every head teacher who wants to make a genuine difference (and get great results as Dave has done)!

Review:

It is great to share in the celebration of Dave Harris` success as he journeys to provide the best possible opportunities for our young people. The key to this he believes is bravery `Brave Heads` is an honest and frank account of his road to success. --Carol Fearria, head teacher, The Nottingham Emmanuel School

There are few things in the literature of school leadership as compelling and authentic as a leader telling their own story in an analytical and rigorous way. Dave Harris has achieved this in a highly engaging account of his own leadership which combines a powerful narrative with thoughtful reflection and careful analysis. He skilfully unites theory and practice so that each informs the other in a way that enhances understanding and relevance. At a time when many of the fundamental assumptions about school leadership are being questioned Dave Harris focuses on the ideas of personal authenticity and moral courage in a way that provides a compelling model for all school leaders not just head teachers. Brave Heads is a personal account, a smart synthesis of current thinking about leadership and an invitation to reflect on and review how leadership might need to change to respond to a turbulent and often contradictory environment. It is a powerful and very welcome addition to the literature on how leadership needs to develop in order to create an educational system rooted in authentic values and a belief in the transformational potential of schools. --John West-Burnham, Professor of Educational Leadership, St Mary s University College, Twickenham

The book takes a refreshing look at both the challenges and the joys of leading a school, describing the bravery needed by head teachers in respect of facing up to external political imperatives, curriculum design and delivery, securing short- and long-term success, the leadership styles necessary at different times and the wealth of research into school leadership that can have real-world relevance and application. --Mike Butler, Chief Executive, Djanogly Learning Trust, Director of the Independent Academies Association

About the Author:

Dave Harris worked for over 20 years in School leadership, including 12 as a school principal across both primary and secondary phases. During this time he developed a reputation for innovative thinking and practice. Since retiring from working in schools he now puts his ideas into practice as Managing Director of Independent Thinking Ltd.

• Publisher: Independent Thinking Press an imprint of Crown House Publishing
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1781350485
• ISBN 13: 9781781350485
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208
• Editor: Ian Gilbert