Contemporary education systems face significant challenges. Increasing emphasis is being placed on the importance of high-quality leadership to meet these challenges. This book provides a range of case studies and theoretical and methodological perspectives on the practical leadership tasks that underpin educational change. Section 1 focuses on the nature of professional learning and the policy context in which educational reform takes place. Section 2 explores the forms of leadership relevant tot he differing contexts of professional development. Section 3 explores mentoring, peer coaching, team and group work. These processes are examined through international experience and by reference to work in other professions. Section 4 analyzes the experience of evidence based work in medicine and the health service and the potential of applying this to education. The section reviews contested views on this theme. Section 5 looks at the potential role that interactive technologies can play in professional development. This book should be of use to anyone involved in leading professional development, including advisors and inspectors and senior and middle managers in schools and colleges.
