ULearn '15 - "Middle Leadership in NZ Schools"

"Middle leadership in New Zealand secondary schools: A complex role with many challenges" 
Ulearn '15 - Research Taster 4C
Presenter: Martin Bassett Programme Leader Master of Educational Leadership at Unitec mbassett@unitec.ac.nz

Abstract: "The role of middle level leaders in New Zealand secondary schools is complex with many challenges. The role of educational leaders has expanded, and responsibilities previously the domain of senior leaders have been delegated to middle level leaders. This research set out to examine expectations of middle leaders in New Zealand secondary schools and the challenges they face.

Educational reforms that began in the 1980s increased pressure on educational leaders, resulting in the delegation of responsibilities to other levels in the school hierarchy with an intensification of management work for middle level leaders. Middle leaders have become caught in a dichotomous role in which they are both teacher and leader. Consequently, the scope and volume of tasks middle leaders are now expected to carry out has led to an increasingly challenging role for these practitioners..."

Rationale

• Middle leader in 3 schools in 10 years
• Absence of leadership development
• Advice Informal

A new role

• Educational reforms intensified senior leadership role
• New responsibilities for middle leaders

Methodology
Qualitative questionnaire etc-

Findings - Expectation

• Curriculum Leadership - i.e.: developing programmes, enabling proogrammes, removing barriers, leading the learning; a strong focus on results or achievement.
• Developing Staff - ML felt that they were expected to develop staff, but weren't developed themselves (by BOT and Senior Managers)
• Administrative tasks - qulaity assurance (NCEA, secondary school study)

Challenges

• Lack of time - cuts into non-school time, interupts classroom routines; SL acknowledged this, but had no ideas on how to solve it.
• Lack of leadership development - the surprise response from the ML; they felt they hadn't had sufficient PLD, but the study found that when they reflected on their role, they actually had recieved some, but had still not felt it was adequate perhaps?
• Leading department within wider school context - dealing with their own departmental concerns.

Leadership Development (ref. VanBelser and Macauley)
Assesssment, Support, Challenge < a "Leadership Development Inquiry Cycle"
Quote (Bassett, 2012): "Qualification for the role of the classroom teacher is no longer adequate for middle leaders"

Conclusions
Middle leaders - pivotal, demanding role; often feel unprepared for the depth and breadth of the role.