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Catlow, Emma (2023). An investigation into women’s perceptions of leadership and the factors that influence aspiration and progression into secondary school senior leadership. Student dissertation for The Open University module E822 Masters multi-disciplinary dissertation: education, childhood and youth.
Please note that this student dissertation is made available in the format that it was submitted for examination, thus the author has not been able to correct errors and/or departures from academic standards in areas such as referencing.
Copyright resides with the author.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21954/ou.ro.000175ad
Abstract
This narrative case study seeks to understand the heterogeneous way in which female leaders experience leadership and how experiences foster or inhibit aspiration and successful career progression. Six women from senior and middle leadership roles were interviewed. Thematic analysis of interview data revealed that enduring relationships with role models, secondment, and flexible working opportunities promoted self-efficacy and aspiration required to seek promotion. Despite believing that leadership is based on individual skills, the women experience leadership as gendered and have faced gender-based discrimination. Differentiated development programmes that acknowledge gender are recommended along with talent spotting and advocacy for aspirant female leaders.