Michael Kramer
Department of Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
michaelkramersa@gmail.com
Abstract:
School leadership matters. After teachers and teaching, school leadership is the most important determinant of learner
achievement in school. Despite this, there is still uncertainty regarding what successful school leadership is and what successful
school leaders do in non-Western contexts. In this mixed methods study I explored successful high school leadership in South
Africa. Specifically, a questionnaire was administered to 38 principals from academically high-achieving schools from a range
of socioeconomic contexts throughout the Western Cape, and 14 principals were interviewed. An integrated analysis reveals
the paradox of uniqueness and universality of successful school leadership in South Africa, outlining that while there is no
single best approach, various similarities exist between successful school leaders and established international literature. I
found that successful principals adapt to their context, amalgamate transformational, instructional and distributed leadership
styles, set direction, develop people, constantly realign the school with teaching and learning, and, importantly, strive to make
a difference in the lives of others. It is about leading with Ubuntu. By highlighting these characteristics and practices, I offer
theoretical, practical and personal advice to current and aspiring school leaders, academics and policy makers.
