Facing pressures: finding solutions. Coping with leadership in the 21st century

Lindley-Baker, J.A. (2016) Facing pressures: finding solutions. Coping with leadership in the 21st century. In: The place of the child in 21st century society. OMEP European Conference Proceedings . Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, pp. 16-26. ISBN 9781909067639

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Abstract

This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of the causes, impacts and coping strategies used by headteachers in managing pressures arising through school leadership in the 21st Century. Drawing upon qualitative data gathered from twelve interviews with special school leaders, interpretations suggest that an understanding of stress within education cannot be explained by incidence alone and at a personal level, the nature of stress revolves around perceptions of stress and individual reactions to pressures. Causes of stress within education leadership are dependent upon individual perceptions of pressures associated with arenas of headship; self, pupils, school, community, and government. Pressures arising in these arenas can be interpreted as both opportunities and challenges. It is the connections school leaders have with the objects in their world and the interpretations they give to these connections, which determines the impacts of pressures. School leaders across all settings recognise that they have opportunities to create change, be creative with teaching and learning, and develop teams to lead initiatives aiming to meet the changing and seemingly increasingly complex needs of children in the 21st Century. In certain situations, pressures can exceed abilities to cope and have the potential of leading to stress or burnout. Finding solutions is dependent upon a range of coping strategies. This study recognises that when coping with the impact of major events, strategies, which are intrinsic to one’s inner theatre, seem most significant in coping.

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	© Copyright 2016 UK OMEP. All rights reserved. Proceedings of the OMEP European Conference 2016: The Place of the Child in the 21st Century. Organised and hosted by UK OMEP. Held at Canterbury Christ Church University, England, 5-7 May 2016.
Divisions:	School of Social Science
Depositing User:	Julia Lindley-Baker
Date Deposited:	19 Apr 2018 16:13
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2019 14:20
URI:	https://bgro.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/308

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