Calling all Deputies/Heads/Managers in Education re usefulness of MA Education

[andwhatnow]

I am after advice concerning the usefulness of doing an MA. I am currently a Deputy Head in a Primary school. I don't have a class full time although do teach to cover (unfortunately though this is getting less and less due to having to deal with other areas). I went into teaching 6 years ago and became a deputy quite quickly and I love a challenge. I have a good English Honours degree and decided that an MA in Education and Leadership would be interesting.

I have applied to Edge Hill and have been accepted to do one, distance learning. I have to work full time and would obviously continue to do so. I need to make my mind up very soon and am weighing up the pros and cons. It is expensive but I think I can just manage it. I guess I am wondering though whether its ultimately worth it. In an ideal world, if I were rich I would do anyway but practically I feel I need to justify it?! I would love to hear from anybody who has done further study in a similar position. Thanks x

I have a first class degree and an ma in education - it's made no difference!
If you can bypass the ma and go straight to doctorate (couple more years) then do that.
Or not bother and just do a leadership course.
Thing with an ma is I did it under a labour gov whist teaching, but under a conservative gov it's not the same.

Thank you for your quick reply. I have to say that my gut feeling is that it won't make much difference. I will look into a doctorate although it seems rather scary! I do have a first class degree too. The thing is, I'm pretty sure I don't want to be a head. My feelings to do an MA come from a) wanting a bit of a challenge and b) keeping my knowledge etc bang up to date.

The b) bit doesn't apply in the long due to gov changes.
Unless you want to be a Head then don't do an ma or doctorate.
Do a leadership course and spend time sorting out initiatives in your school to demonstrate you 'being on trend'.
If you're secondary make links with universities to show how the school is forward thinking - Simon Langton grammar school for boys does this very well.
If primary make links with business and secondary schools to show forward thinking - there was a school on radio 4 I heard that linked with church about saving money and had kids working as bank managers etc
Just an idea!

I'm in my second year of this course and can confirm that you could probably get the leadership/change management knowledge elsewhere, something like Future Leaders? and head for the doctorate.