Abstract

This records and analyses observations of the daily lives of the Directors of Education in English Local Education Authorities to reveal what life was like for these chief officers just as local power began to decline and control of education moved to central government. This period of change is covered in this longitudinal study which observed five Directors in 1986-7 and four in the early 1990s. It provides a unique and detailed observation of strategic management in action highlighting issues of leadership common to all sectors of management and valid for any period of major change. In writing this, Angela took the middle-ground between statistical analysis and real-life narrative and constructs to present a gripping study of the reality of educational leadership at a senior level. Unusually, the Directors studied have their own voice in the book; they were asked to comment on it in draft and these comments have their own reflective chapter. There is also an excursion into the past with a chapter about the history of education Directors. It is vigorous treatment with some international comparisons and a future vision which can now be compared with reality. This file contains the contents list and extracts from Chapter One.