Executive Headship: A case study in maintaining Catholic Principles in two primary schools

This research project was written within the context of two 1 form entry Catholic Primary Schools of which the researcher was the Executive Headteacher. The schools are located within the Diocese of Leeds. Both schools are situated in the inner city, in areas of extremely high multiple deprivation. For the purpose of this research School A was the substantive school of the researcher and School B was the recipient establishment. The aim of the research project was to consider the implications of executive headship and whether the principles of Catholic Education could be upheld in schools of very challenging circumstance. The research was carried out as a case study within the two schools. Questionnaires and interviews were used with staff and governors within both schools and Diocesan officers to ascertain their views on the upholding of Catholic principles. In addition, questionnaires and interviews were held with a selection of Executive Headteachers of Catholic schools in different local authorities and diocese. In this research project, leadership styles, Catholic educational principles, leadership and management and teaching & learning were examined. The issues that arose from the literature review provided the ideas for the questions that were used in both the questionnaires and interviews. Responses were examined in the light of the literature review and the outcomes provided the evidence for the conclusion. This research project concludes by making recommendations, in the hope that the context schools or other Catholic schools may find them useful in moving toward excellence of provision. The research showed that within the context schools Catholic principles of education were upheld and that the role of executive headteacher across many diocese of the country does the same because of a combination of system and servant leadership that befits the communities served.