Leadership at School
The key differentiator of a good school is good governance and leadership development at all levels — the Board, the staff, the students, the parent body, and the community.
The key differentiator of a good school is good governance and leadership development at all levels. The Board, the staff, the students, the parent body and the community all need to be part of the leadership development ecosystem. It all begins with the Governance — and this is where a good school leads the average.
Applying Principles of Good Governance to Schools
Principles of corporate governance must be considered and applied in light of the complex school environment. Unlike traditional corporations, schools operate on a not-for-profit basis; its stakeholders have long-term personal and emotional investments, relationships and friendships; participation in the school may cover many generations of family members; members of the Board participate on a voluntary basis; the school is engaged in the education, development and welfare of children; teachers are expected to be dedicated and provide a contribution well beyond the normal teaching day.
It is pivotal to good governance that the Board recognises and manages the school's main stakeholder groups. The management of stakeholders requires skill and tact and relationships must be delicately balanced at all times.
The Role of the Governing Body
The Governing Body (Trust / Society) should be an independent body that ensures the vision of the not-for-profit schooling organisation is not compromised. There must be a set of Rules and Guidelines to focus on the mission of the charity that is formed to govern the school organisation.
Setting up a school is often "an entirely altruistic act", with an element of selfless, self-sacrificing, considerate, compassionate, kind, decent, noble, public-spirited and charitable motive. We must not forget — above all it must be sustainable. The Board's biggest challenge will be to become a public charity over a period of time; it is often a challenge for the investor to let go. The social enterprise will give dividend in the form of better human capital and a good citizenry — this alone is the cornerstone for a developed economy and society.
The Role of School Staff
The School Staff should be involved beyond the classroom, and there must be a model of effectively having them involved in the decision making and effective functioning of the school. Clubs, Societies, Sports and Extracurricular activities must all give the staff members opportunities to pursue their passion and lead.
The Staff should see a way forward in their professional careers and be empowered to take decisions at all levels. The more we delegate, the better will be our leadership at the school. As teaching is a profession that is often by chance and not by choice, we have to ensure that the staff feels much wanted and valued — this alone will bring about a change from average to the leaders that they must become.
Parents as Partners
Good schools have a good Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and the school is a partnering of parents and teachers to build an ecosystem to help children develop emotionally and intellectually. The children must care for the environment, care for the community and care for the country; this is only possible when the family and the institutions work for the betterment of young people.
In good schools, the parents are involved effectively and this is the single most factor in contributing to the making of a good school.
Students and Alumni
The students at school and the ex-students must be involved in institution building too. Schools must develop the minds of the children and also their physique, their skills, their personality and leadership traits — and create a sense of fellow feeling with their less fortunate brethren if they are to be good citizens.
The alumni association network is the most important determinant of the brand value of a good school. They must be involved in governance and have due representation in leadership positions.
Sandeep Dutt is a School Improvement Coach with over 40 years of experience transforming schools across India and Singapore. He is the author of My Good School: Where Passion Meets Education and founder of the Good Schools Alliance. He runs the Good Schools Masterclass for school leaders, principals, and educators.