Ashbrook School, Milton Keynes, England

Abstract

Being a head teacher requires many responsibilities, flexibility, interpersonal skills, positive attitude, a clear vision and mission, and many other managerial qualities that help make a school a success. Inspirational leadership from the Head of School helps bring about the right motivation to teaching staff so that they collaborate together, with a sense of belonging to the school and commitment towards teaching and learning, to encourage children to enjoy schooling. These positive qualities which enhance the school ethos, have all been observed during a two week visit at Ashbrook School in Milton Keynes, England. This report follows a visit to Ashbrook School, during which the authors had the opportunity to shadow Mrs Newman, Head of School, and her Deputy Head, in order to study various aspects of school administration and management in the light of educational management research. This report gives an account on how SMT members, teachers and teaching assistants and parents work together with a great sense of team spirit in order to make Ashbrook School a success. The report also suggests useful tips for local administration and management of schools.