We’re delighted to release a project report by Dr Anthony Thorpe, SWF Research Associate, entitled Methodist school leadership and governance: mission and workforce equality and diversity.
Executive summary:
The project explored the concept and discourse of leadership and governance in Methodist schools and related organisations in England with particular reference to the purpose of the institutions, and equality, diversity and inclusion in the education workforce. Through the perspectives of key actors (such as head teachers, school chaplains, directors, trustees, and officers of relevant Methodist boards and organisations), the project examined how leadership and governance is understood is these contexts, its perceived purpose and impact, and how its practice is articulated.
Questions have been raised in the literature about how well the discourse of traditional leadership has served practitioners in identifying and addressing the issues or problems they face, including that of why leadership, as it is currently conceived, should be offered as a panacea to any organisational or societal problem. Debates over matters of purpose and mission as well as equality and diversity can be intense despite various solutions being offered in the literature.
A substantial amount of rich data was generated through the interviews. The report lays out several of the findings and themes emerging from the data, which will be analysed and discussed in more detail in the articles and other outputs planned for the dissemination of the project. Findings and emerging themes relate to the concepts and the discourses of leadership that are fruitful for practitioners in identifying and promoting the purpose of Methodist schools, and addressing equality and diversity in the school workforce. Several implications for practice and avenues for further research are identified.
Read the full report here.