Development needs of middle managers: The views of senior managers

Abstract

A questionnaire survey of the role of the Professional Development Coordinator within one Local Education Authority's high schools and middle schools revealed widespread concerns about the professional development needs of school middle managers. This paper sets out the needs identified and argues that in addition to training needs concerned with managing the department or faculty (which have long been recognised but which are still not being addressed satisfactorily) training needs relating to the middle manger's contribution to whole-school planning and development are increasing rapidly. As the role of the middle manager is becoming more complex, the need to ensure that such managers possess the knowledge and skills to perform effectively takes on an even greater urgency. The Teacher Training Agency's initiative on 'A National Professional Qualification for Subject Leaders' hold out hope that these needs will at last begin to be addressed. © 1998 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.