Headteachers...nature v nurture (lighthearted...sort of)

[Afonavon]

Does the job attract a certain type of character (i.e. dictatorial sociopathic, power mad), or does the job turn normal people into these type of characters?

I’ve worked with 5 different heads and deputy heads and they all have these traits.

DH doesn’t work in education and says that most of his bosses/top management are these types of people too.

I wonder whether actually those are the type of people who do well in interview situations perhaps.And perhaps also self aggrandisement and boastfulness (as we might see it) is meat and drink to them (for example, I have noticed how much Theresa May uses the first person : way more than your average woman would). I know lots of people who want to be Deputies and Heads and who can't make a shortlist, I also know two heads of large secondary schools. They are both nice people but did definitely set their eyes on the prize early in their career and would I think happily push others aside to get to a lifeboat on The Titanic.. The other head I know is a bit of a prat.

Ours isn't tbh. He's a vegetarian lefty. I'm always surprised he's such a good head, but he is. That's why I'm so apprehensive about Academisation as were still LA but for how much longer in really not sure! Previous heads were all eons ago and just seemed 'stereotypical' old school heads. From what I hear/read there's a new breed of Heads emerging!

My DC have attended 5 different schools (we’ve moved around a lot) and had 6 different heads and 12 deputes between them. I would say that the majority fit your bill.

The main exceptions would be the old senior management team in our current primary - the head teacher was genuinely one of the nicest people you could ever have met and created a real family feel in the school. Of the 2 main deputes - one was also really lovely (and to be honest, like the head, was the complete opposite of your description), while the other fit your bill perfectly. The entire senior management has changed in the last few years and it’s rather telling that they ALL fit your description now. One of the depute posts came up and the (wonderful, lovely, well respected, well liked) woman who had covered the post for 2 years of back to back maternity leave applied for it, but didn’t get it. It is widely believed she didn’t get it because she’s not “gobby” enough. A real shame because she was an excellent depute who had brilliant relationships with pupils, staff and parents. Of course we’ve now lost her to another school.

The whole ethos and feel of the school has changed as a result of the new senior management - and not for the better. I’d do anything to get our “nice” senior management back.

I must admit I don’t think Theresa May seems like a dictatorial sociopath, even if I don’t agree with her on some matters.

The primary school head my children had was one of the most decent human beings I have come across.

Hmmm.... I agree she doesn't seem that way but I have been distracted by the number of times she says 'I' recently. It's a strategy at the very least ; at worst it is a complete self absorbed sociopath...!

Probably advisors tell her she needs to show more of herself.

My current Headteacher is not like that at all. Neither was my previous. I have only worked for women heads though ....