An Analysis of Perceptions of the Skills and Knowledge Required for Leadership and Management in Further Education

This is a study of college managers perceptions of the skills and knowledge required for leadership and management in further education. Data was generated using interpretive methods, guided initially by the literature review to generate questions that formed the basis of semi-structured interviews which in-turn informed further questions through the use of a questionnaire. The fieldwork was conducted in four further education colleges in the north of England, it explores management and leadership and reviews the perceived skills and knowledge needed to lead, how these can be gained and what motivates people to aspire to senior leadership positions. The findings show a number of ambiguities in management roles in education and the complexities of managing in the age of New Public Management. This study captures insights which have the potential to inform future research into education management and highlights the possible inadequacies of formal leadership development for leader-academics in further education.