Convenor

Linda Evans
L.Evans@education.leeds.ac.uk
This SIG is concerned with how schools and colleges as organisations are governed, led, managed and improved. As a consequence we are interested in all aspects of schools’ and colleges’ working practices including the moral, social, cultural and political positioning adopted by them, together with the processes involved in developing these, ultimately for the benefit of learners. Thus the SIG encompasses those with interests in the development and operation of leadership and management at all levels in schools and colleges together with how the leadership and learning in such institutions is improved. Questions such as how people work together, how they work with local communities, the influences upon them of both the internal and external environment and the impacts of all these issues on learners are all important aspects of the remit of this SIG.

Aims

This SIG aims to provide an academic arena within which expertise and research findings are shared and new ideas are explored. We encourage members to contribute publications and help identify new models and new conceptual tools which enable practitioners to take theory into practice in a range of different contexts. The SIG is also a means for bringing together the thinking and experience of those who work in schools and colleges with academic researchers. In addition we are developing collaborative investigations in leadership, management and improvement of schools and colleges. We help networking and dissemination and collaborate with other key organisations in such as BELMAS and SCRELM.

Activities / Events

One business meeting each year at the BERA conference plus a variety of events throughout the year such as seminars, day conferences, research Conversations, and opportunities to pool ideas, collaborate on research or publications. The SIG is inclusive of all, not simply orientate around ‘academics’. The most recent events have been an invitation to a SCRELM funded ‘Conversation’ where Professor Philip Woods was the speaker and a day conference funded through BELMAS entitled ‘Unpacking Educational Leadership: staring complexity in the face’. Speakers included Professor Ann Briggs, Dr. Hugh Busher, Dr. Linda Hammersley-Fletcher with Professor Mark Brundrett, Dr. Richard Hatcher and Professor Kathryn Riley. Our BERA 2007 business meeting will consider key note presentations, links with BELMAS and SCRELM and forthcoming opportunities and events. Ideas, contributions and new faces welcomed.