Christina Gowlett

This book is a unique primer for school professionals, educators and policymakers to develop a solid understanding of the domains essential to cultivating and sustaining successful schools. It also provides essential reading for researchers interested in these issues more broadly. In response to various sensationalist discourses around schooling that dominate both mainstream and social media, the authors draw upon both long-standing and up-to-date research from around the world to present a more accurate, holistic, and optimistic approach. The book identifies the key domains that are necessary to address concerns in equity, leadership and teaching for enhanced student learning and wellbeing. Specifically, these domains relate to: (1) system-wide approaches to enhance school performance; (2) building teacher capability for student learning; (3) educational leadership as a vehicle for leading learning; and (4) building community ‘infrastructures’ for equitable, place-based learning. The book can be used in several ways: each chapter can be read as a stand-alone overview of key areas for school improvement. The broad topics are important jigsaw puzzle pieces that are necessary to ‘see the whole picture’ of a successful school/system. Each chapter includes ‘Key messages’ and ‘Ways forward’ and closes with extension questions to further guide thinking through the ‘big ideas’ presented in each chapter and how they are relevant to different schooling and policy contexts. Grounded in research into productive and proactive system and school practices from around the world, this book ensures professional educators are equipped with the latest research and practice, without being overwhelmed by the detail.

This book is a unique primer for school professionals, educators and policymakers to develop a solid understanding of the domains essential to cultivating and sustaining successful schools. It also provides essential reading for researchers interested in these issues more broadly. In response to various sensationalist discourses around schooling that dominate both mainstream and social media, the authors draw upon both long-standing and up-to-date research from around the world to present a more accurate, holistic, and optimistic approach. The book identifies the key domains that are necessary to address concerns in equity, leadership and teaching for enhanced student learning and wellbeing. Specifically, these domains relate to: (1) system-wide approaches to enhance school performance; (2) building teacher capability for student learning; (3) educational leadership as a vehicle for leading learning; and (4) building community ‘infrastructures’ for equitable, place-based learning. The book can be used in several ways: each chapter can be read as a stand-alone overview of key areas for school improvement. The broad topics are important jigsaw puzzle pieces that are necessary to ‘see the whole picture’ of a successful school/system. Each chapter includes ‘Key messages’ and ‘Ways forward’ and closes with extension questions to further guide thinking through the ‘big ideas’ presented in each chapter and how they are relevant to different schooling and policy contexts. Grounded in research into productive and proactive system and school practices from around the world, this book ensures professional educators are equipped with the latest research and practice, without being overwhelmed by the detail.

This book makes the case for the continued and expanded use of social, critical and political theories in the field of educational leadership. It helps readers understand educational leadership by introducing them to a wide variety of theoretical and philosophical approaches and positions. The book incorporates a rich blend of ideas and concepts, and compares and contrasts the approaches discussed. The content largely focuses on four educational thinkers: Michel Foucault, Judith Butler, Bernard Stiegler and Karen Barad. The chapters do not cover each thinker’s oeuvre exhaustively, but instead provide a brief overview of his/her ideas, while also helping readers understand a particular aspect of the educational leadership discourse. Each chapter also provides supplementary reading recommendations for those interested in pursuing these ideas in more depth.

This book makes the case for the continued and expanded use of social, critical and political theories in the field of educational leadership. It helps readers understand educational leadership by introducing them to a wide variety of theoretical and philosophical approaches and positions. The book incorporates a rich blend of ideas and concepts, and compares and contrasts the approaches discussed. The content largely focuses on four educational thinkers: Michel Foucault, Judith Butler, Bernard Stiegler and Karen Barad. The chapters do not cover each thinker’s oeuvre exhaustively, but instead provide a brief overview of his/her ideas, while also helping readers understand a particular aspect of the educational leadership discourse. Each chapter also provides supplementary reading recommendations for those interested in pursuing these ideas in more depth.