Product reviews for Primary Heads

The role of the head teacher is now regarded as one to avoid and the position is hard to fill, country-wide, because of the perceived demands from the government, parents and the media. This book has been written at the right time to support all those managers who secretly believe that they could be head teachers but are afraid to make that leap of faith!

Bill Laar, a very special and experienced leader in education has documented eleven personal journeys of head teachers who have excelled in their profession. They have been concerned only with the best interests of their learning communities, have been able to prioritise the needs of their staff and pupils and are confident that they will succeed in creative and exciting ways. From each account, in spite of the differing characters and leadership experiences, each and every one has an inner and unwavering confidence in what they can do, want to do and then make themselves accountable.

They are all belligerent (in the nicest possible way), proud, determined and dogged in their mission on behalf of their institution. They can spot talent, they like and respect people and have the knack of using people's strengths to develop their wider knowledge and abilities. They grow people through modelling good practice and permitting staff to take risks -” informed risks. They are not selfish. These stories prove that leaders are born with leadership attributes. Their heritage, their experiences throughout their lives, has made them who and what they are. They see their mission as supporting staff to recognise this ability in themselves, at whatever level.

This is a great read for many teachers who feel they would like to take on a school but feel they are not courageous or good enough -” it will inspire many who can find similarities in the character of one or more of these Heads to understand that they can do it too. (One size doesn't fit all!)

Every story is engrossing and shows the many difficult issues Heads have to face -” but do so by thinking and planning in creative and lateral thinking ways. They communicate their vision and plans in a way that involves everyone. I enjoyed each and every account because although heads are surrounded by people, it can be a very lonely job for those who are afraid to share problems. A problem shared is a problem solved and this will be an invaluable read for aspiring head teachers.

This book could only have been written by Bill Laar. His wealth of experience as a practitioner at all levels in the education field has given him great insight into what it takes to be a head -” he can spot them from miles away. This is a must for every staff room.