Gender and headship in the twenty-first century



I was a deputy head early and a head at 35 - comments were made about
being young and female regularly (woman secondary head, early 40s)

Although youth may be a problem for men as well as women aspirant heads, youth
can be interpreted differently for men and women. One woman secondary head in
her early 40s reported that:

I went for headship and was told that because I was 40 I should consolidate
and do a further deputy's job. Other applicants who were male were told they
were ambitious.

Men are preferred - the role of governors

Although family and children were most often linked to sexism in appointments, many
of the comments simply referred to men being preferred for the role. Women are still
very aware of tensions evoked simply by their being women applying for what is a
'male role': that of headteacher. Stereotypical views on the abilities of women can
survive proof of their aptitude for headship:

Still same resistance to a female head - noted by LIG consultants and despite
dramatic improvement in the school i.e. serious weaknesses to good in two
years. (woman secondary head late 40s)

Governors, who have a key part in the appointment process, seem to be particularly
likely to be biased against women in leadership roles. Although there are indications,
like the reduction in gender role stereotyping, that many schools are becoming more
equitable in relation to gender, governors may be bringing in attitudes from business
and the wider world that impact negatively on women.

I overheard governors talking at an interview saying that I could not get the
job as they needed a man on the staff! I didn't get the job (woman primary
head in her late 30s).

In application for headteacher post in a boys' school. Feedback from school
to a referee was about a governor not voting for me as they can't have a
woman heading up a boys' school. He was outvoted though and I was
appointed (woman secondary head in her late 40s).

I was the only female on all male shortlist - male got the job following a long
line of male heads! LEA advice - Don't bother applying the governors won't
appoint a woman (woman secondary head in her late 40s).

The reasons for not appointing women often relate to whether they could handle
boys' discipline and the negative effect that they might have on boys' sport. A
woman in her late 40s who is now head of a secondary school commented:

Applying for a deputy headship at a tough inner city mixed school I came
second to a male internal candidate - the feedback from the headteacher
implied gender was a factor in the decision. They felt more confidence in the
internal male candidate's ability to manage students.

Another woman secondary head in the same age group commented on how she has
needed to demonstrate: 'I am actually firm enough to deal with difficult or disruptive
boys (irritating when you can handle them easily and it has never been an issue).'



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