Leadership Opportunities in the School Setting: A Scoping Study on Staff Perceptions

Robert Hannan, Niamh Lafferty () and Patricia Mannix McNamara
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Robert Hannan: School of Education, University of Limerick, V94 PX58 Limerick, Ireland
Niamh Lafferty: School of Education, University of Limerick, V94 PX58 Limerick, Ireland
Patricia Mannix McNamara: School of Education, University of Limerick, V94 PX58 Limerick, Ireland

Societies, 2023, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-18

Abstract: The focus of this study was to explore teachers’ and middle school leaders’ perspectives of promotional policies and practices within the schools where they work. As this was an initial scoping study, a qualitative approach was adopted. Fifteen teachers and/or middle school leaders participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. Themes that emerged from the data included a mix of perceptions, in that promotions were sometimes perceived to be based on appropriate measures of merit such as experience, but at other times were perceived to be unfair or based on cronyism, with female staff perceived to be at a disadvantage. Reasons for seeking out promotion were identified as predominantly being for personal ambition and increased salary. A dark side of promotions also emerged, and this referred to the breakdown of relationships with co-workers following promotions and implications for turnover. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.

Keywords: educational leadership; culture; promotions; career advancement; middle leadership (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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