Leadership and Change Management in Schools

Introduction

Through this program school managers will gain necessary knowledge and competence in organisational management and development. The Norwegian Business School’s program focuses on improvement of the pupil’s learning outcome. The goal is improvement of the learning outcome through good pedagogical practice and good teacher collaboration.

The program provides knowledge about central themes in the principal’s work; effective management, organising principles, economics and law. The candidates shall be able to understand and interpret what society expects and demands from the school. The role of the principal is characterised by a high degree of responsibility and important room for manoeuvre. This program will give the candidates confidence and courage to lead the school toward an ever more advanced and competent knowledge organisation. We emphasise skills in pedagogical, organisational and human relations as central in the continuous process of improvement in the school.

Course content

• The headmaster’s latitude
• School management in theory and practice
• Ownership management and framework conditions
• Effects of the pupils’ learning outcomes
• Topics regarding the economic impact of education
• The school’s interest groups
• The psychosociological working environment
• Personality and typology
• Evidence-informed teaching leadership
• The headmaster as capacity developer
• Reforms for effectiveness in schools
• The headmaster as pedagogical leader
• High-quality teaching
• Teacher cooperation for increased quality in teaching
• Learning organisations
• Personal development for a more effective school
• Legal topics – the headmaster’s management prerogatives
• Change in culture and behaviour
• Management theories and management styles
• Role security and legitimacy through competence
• Development of management skills