School leader preparation and development programs: What teachers want

Abstract

This article aims to contribute to the literature on school leader preparation and development programs. It seeks to do this by identifying and discussing elements that current faith-based education system teachers would like to see embedded in the creation of aspirant and novice school leader preparation and development programs. This research utilised a qualitative research design, adopting semi-structured interviews to collect employee perceptions. These teachers identified a five-element framework for leadership programs: School and Community; Working With and Through Others; System Understandings and Practice; Leadership Wellbeing; and Special Character. This paper proposes a number of recommendations that may assist in the development of aspiring and novice school leadership preparation and development programs within this faith-based education system.