Leadership Matters: How Leaders at All Levels Can Create Great Schools - UPDATED AND REVISED 2ND ED Paperback – 26 April 2017

useful book

This is no typical leadership book. It has been written with an ease and confidence by the author which gives you, the reader, confidence in what is being said. Andy Buck has injected a light touch to the prose with the use of meaningful quotes, academic references, diagrams and humour. All of these devices have been carefully woven into a clear narrative. As stated by him in the introductory part of this book it can be read cover to cover which I confess I chose to do, alternatively you could easily access standalone chapters when required.After setting aside the time to begin reading I was surprised that I was soon eighty pages in. It allows leaders of all levels within education to access the advice and experience being shared which I feel is most effective through Andy's use of diagrams. Referencing other authors, publications and research at times he manages to present complex processes, systems and contexts diagramatically which allows you as the reader to begin reflecting. As discussed in this book the reflexive process is so important to success, and it is Andy's ability to facilitate that reflection why I will be re-reading this book over and over. I really enjoyed it and have already loaned my copy to a colleague.

Leadership Matters offers little to the field of leadership studies but works superbly well as a handbook for school leadership. The chapters are short, focused and rooted in the writer's experience of a broad range of schools, much of which can be attributed to the his time leading the London Challenge Good to Great programme. Buck offers sound advice on operational and tactical leadership which may be of greater benefit to middle and aspiring senior leaders than experienced leaders.Missing from the book are a range of contemporary leadership theories and new directions for leadership in education but Buck is clear at the outset that it is his not his goal to "over-complicate the issue." Instead, the writer has for the most part re-packaged well established and widely accepted approaches to leadership, simply and to good effect.Preference has been given to a limited range of leadership theories. Buck elevates transformational leadership, team leadership, leadership styles and trait theory whilst at the same time marginalising servant leadership, authentic leadership, leadership ethics, and women in leadership (see Northouse 2013).

Nothing new here and the first half of the book is spent telling you what he will write about in later chapters. 'Could do better'

This book is well structured and easy to read. I like how the author has drawn you in to the context and clearly sets out how and why leadership is important.He references many other pieces of research and the use of diagrams, bars, charts etc really back up and make clear what he is saying.The author clearly has a lot of experience in dealing with situations which makes it a more credible and robust read. It's not full tentative theory as some books are but really makes the link between theory and practice.The blend of experience, research and actions as well as the ability to self reflect at the end of the chapters with Key Points make it relevant to any school leader. And I would suggest any leader in any industry.I have read many leadership books while undertaking my MEd in Educational Lessership and Learning and this is one of the best I have come across.

Last month I read 'What makes a Great School?' by Andy Buck. Needless to say, I was excited to see that he had a new book coming out. I am entering into my first year of headship and have already told the middle leaders that we will be working through this book together.Why this one? Does it say anything different to other leadership books?No, not really. It is, however, easy to read and condenses what I've read and heard from different places into neat manageable chapters. It is easy to rush through this book as it is written in a style that is easy to read. However. I'm going to guide others through it in a slower pace, with plenty of time to discuss key issues so that we can lead our school well.@matthewwatt

This is my go-to book on the basics of school leadership. I have yet to find another that covers quite so much, quite so well, in such a succinct and easy to digest manner. Great for beginners to leadership, but I read it every year now to remind myself not to forget any of it.

A fantastic book about leadership - it was highly recommended to me and I can see why as I would recommend it to others. Not just for senior leaders, although useful for them but also middle leaders and aspiring.