Case Study:
Marwell International School in Manchester England is in a process of change. A recent inspection report identified some key areas of concern around the leaderships and management of the school. A new Principal who leads within a distributed leadership framework, has developed a 3year strategic plan that includes a full curriculum review and a new performance management system as well as a new organisational structure. You have been recruited to head up one of the new departments within the school. The Principal has asked you to write a report to discuss how you would lead the department and to identify your own management skills, expertise and areas for development. They provide you with the following information on which to base your report.•The new department will bring together two independent departments who currently employ nine members of staff. Two teachers have been at the college for over 15 years, three others are recently qualified. Last year two teachers left after less than a year in the department and another member of staff is returning after maternity leave. •A recent internal inspection indicated that the quality of learning was below standard in most classes and that student progress records had not been kept. •The student test results have declined over the last 4 years.•The budget to the new department has been cut by 10% for next year as the school is in a difficult financial situation. •The new team will need to review the curriculum content and the teaching and learning pedagogy deployed •You will need to implement the new performance management system with your team. Importantly, as part of your own performance management, the Principal has requested that you evaluate your current management skills and expertise together with the areas for your professional development. As you are studying for a Masters qualification you have decided that your report (3000 words) must be evidenced-based and draw on academic research and recent studies on leadership in schools.
Breakdown on subheadings:
Title page
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Contents page
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Executive Summary – An introduction and analysis of the key issues
500
PART A: Critical discussion of leadership and management styles and effect of distributed leadership in an education organisation on staff and students and other stakeholders
1,000
PART B: A discussion on how change could be managed within the department and how to use effective communication to achieve this. You should include an appraisal of the impact of these management and communication styles on individuals in the department and on the team as a whole.
1,000
PART C: A critical evaluation of your own management skills, expertise and areas for professional development.
Total: 3000 words
500