School change and development: the influence of a reflective practitioner

Abstract

The broad reality of change is impacting on every organisation including schools. More than often in a process of change there will be an input of an enormous amount of human energy and physical resources that results in change that in effect does not lead to improvement. Therefore, the question remains: How can we ensure that responses to change from managers and teachers within the organisation will lead to school improvement? The case study reported in this book substantiates the importance of the individual in a leadership role, acting and learning within a context, dealing with the reality of change that is part of the routine tasks of the organisation. This book argues that only attention to the individual will bring about long lasting change. People change themselves and people change organisations. The experience of the individual relayed in this book will resonate with leaders in organisations and provide insights into actions that bring about change in long standing, stable organisations.