Page 12 - R&KT Flipping Book - Issue 5, Dec 2016

Trending research

Nurturing
Issue FIve
Middle Leadership

“This proposal argues for research that aims to better understand middle
leadership in Hong Kong secondary schools and factors that influence how
middle leadership is conceptualised and enacted.”

Dr Darren Anthony Bryant, Assistant Professor,
Department of Education Policy and Leadership

Working Together for Improvement
Unlike principals and vice principals, the role of As Principal Investigator, Dr Bryant is conducting a wide range
Middle Leaders (MLs) in local secondary schools of interviews in each selected school – with the principal, vice-
so far has received little academic attention. principal, eight department heads and focus group interviews with

the teachers in each department. All participants will be asked
about what opportunities middle leaders have to interact in the
But given the right training and opportunities, MLs can assume classroom, across the school and in the wider community; whether
greater responsibility in taking their schools forward, says Dr they agree to take part in all opportunities, and if middle leaders
Darren Anthony Bryant, Assistant Professor of the Department of receive any formal training.
Education Policy and Leadership at the Education University of
Dr Bryant will be publishing his findings and use them in the
Hong Kong (EdUHK).
instruction of students studying for teaching degrees. “This
In his two-year study, “Understanding Middle Leadership in Hong study will provide insight on how Senior Leaders (SLs) and MLs
Kong Secondary Schools”, Dr Bryant will examine how teachers and work together to both provide opportunities for MLs to exercise
leaders in schools understand middle leaders and their role, the leadership across different leadership levels and to resolve noted
challenges and constraints they face, as well as what opportunities tensions and challenges that emerge in the shift beyond subject
can be created for them. “This proposal argues for research area management,” he said.
that aims to better understand middle leadership in Hong Kong
secondary schools and factors that influence how middle leadership
is conceptualised and enacted,” said Dr Bryant.
Broadening Perspectives

For his study, Dr Bryant has selected six schools that are progressive
in providing opportunities for MLs to have innovative roles.
Through his research, Dr Bryant hopes to help schools evaluate
challenges and opportunities faced by their middle leaders, and
examine the critical skills and support needed by MLs to optimise
leadership opportunities. Through his research, Dr Bryant hopes to help schools evaluate challenges
and opportunities faced by their middle leaders and to examine the critical
skills and support needed by MLs to optimise leadership opportunities.
His study looks at the tasks currently carried out by MLs informally.
It also addresses the tensions – how MLs come to terms with their
official roles while still wanting to be colleagues with the other
teachers. “Increasing demands placed on school leaders’ time,
energy and capacity have propelled research on the potential for
improving schools by distributing leadership,” said Dr Bryant.

Unlike Senior Leaders (SLs) – principals and
vice principals, the role of Middle Leaders
(MLs) in local secondary schools so far has
received little academic attention.

12 R & KT News