The Creation of National Programmes of School Leadership Development in England and New Zealand: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This article reports on developments in new headteacher/principal training in England and New Zealand and argues that there are policy similarities between the two countries. The authors suggest that the creation and implementation of comparable school leadership training programmes has formed part of an increasing governmental interest in the importance of leadership development in the two countries that is welcome. There are inherent tensions, dilemmas and dangers in these developments since such centralised initiatives can create an ‘orthodoxy’ of leadership development practices since both governments have created the expectation that those who undertake leadership training for headship or principalship will comply with mandated requirements in order to conform to centrally defined norms. We suggest that fundamental questions concerning the nature of leadership and the knowledge base of professional leadership, leadership training and professional development remain about that should be posited in order to better inform the practice of leadership preparation in both locations.