School Leadership Aspiration: Differences in Perception of Drivers and Barriers across Hierarchical Levels

Abstract

This article discusses the leadership crisis looming in schools. With fewer people aspiring to take on school leadership, school education systems must consider the drivers and barriers of school leadership aspiration. This article describes the perceptions of respondents from three hierarchical levels within a faithbased education system as to the factors influencing their willingness or unwillingness to consider school leadership positions. This research explored survey data, both quantitative and qualitative, relating to school leadership aspirations and influences with regard to applying for school leadership positions. Five factors were found to influence the unwillingness of respondents to consider school leadership positions, while seven factors were identified to influence willingness to consider school leadership positions. Additionally, four influence factors were identified which, if significantly improved, would act to increase respondent aspiration and thus influence their willingness to consider school leadership positions in the future.