How do Headteachers establish, articulate and maintain an ethos that provides a compelling vision of Christian faith? An international comparative study of Christian leadership in schools

This research looks at examples of leadership in Christian international schools in the Global South and how headteachers in these schools establish, articulate and maintain an ethos that provides a compelling vision of the Christian faith. There is no shortage of literature on the Christian leadership of schools in Western countries or indeed on the leadership of church schools in England. However, there is a paucity of literature that examines the leadership of Christian international schools in the Global South alongside leadership practice in church schools in England. This research asks what can be learned from international colleagues there.

This study has two related aims. Firstly, it focuses on leadership examples in a Christian international school context. The research is based on interviews with nine headteachers located in eight countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. It explores the approach of these leaders, in terms of the day-to-day running of the school, their actions, language, and understanding of their role and of workplace relationships. Furthermore, it investigates how personal faith, sense of vocation, mission and calling inform their leadership behaviour.

The second part of this research is a documentary analysis of forty church school inspection reports, evaluating the Church of England and the Catholic leadership of these schools as described by the inspectorate. It situates that understanding alongside Christian leadership in Christian international schools. This gives recognition to Christian leadership in an international setting, alongside church school leadership approaches. It identifies the differing leadership practices within those settings, yet highlights commonalities and offers considerations for future practice, specifically what headteachers of church schools in the Global North can learn from colleagues in the Global South. Building on the wealth of knowledge, experience and understanding of the leadership of church schools in England, this thesis concludes that international colleagues in Christian education offer an engaging perspective of Christian leadership in schools.