Effective and knowledgeable leaders and managers are essential throughout all areas of school management practice given their impact on the learning outcomes of children, young people, families and the wider community. Commonwealth Education ministers and stakeholders have therefore consistently stressed the need to improve school leadership.

This handbook is a practical, immediate response to expressed needs in school leadership development. It aims to support efforts to integrate school leadership development in the professional development of the education work force, including through reflective practice and conversations about professional development and personal growth.

School leaders, policy makers and researchers within and beyond the Commonwealth will benefit from this handbook which has been carefully put together to reflect the diversity of the countries, institutions and educational experiences across the member countries.