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10 strong claims about successful school leadership

This report summarises the findings of a national research project on the impact of leadership on pupil outcomes, with particular reference to the leadership of the headteacher.

The report makes 10 strong claims about successful leadership, supported by quotes from school leaders surveyed as part of the research.

The 10 strong claims

1) Headteachers are the main source of leadership in their schools.
2) There are eight key dimensions of successful leadership.
3) Headteachers' values are key components in their success.
4) Successful heads use the same basic leadership practices, but there is no single model for achieving success.
5) Differences in context affect the nature, direction and pace of leadership actions.
6) Heads contribute to student learning and achievement through a combination and accumulation of strategies and actions.
7) There are three broad phases of leadership success.
8) Heads grow and secure success by layering leadership strategies and actions.
9) Successful heads distribute leadership progressively.
10) The successful distribution of leadership depends on the establishment of trust.

Adapting leadership to your context

The research demonstrates that there is no single best-fit leadership approach and that successful leadership is context sensitive. Leaders of successful schools define success not only in terms of test and examination results, but also in terms of personal and social outcomes, pupil and staff motivation, engagement and wellbeing, the quality of teaching and learning and the school's contribution to the community.

Also, successful heads improve pupil outcomes through who they are - their values, virtues, dispositions, attributes and competences - as well as what they do in terms of the strategies they select and the ways in which they adapt their leadership practices to their unique context.