An Exploration of the Terms Educational System Leader and Educational System Leadership

Ellis, Tegwen (2025) An Exploration of the Terms Educational System Leader and Educational System Leadership. Doctoral thesis, University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

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Abstract

This thesis explores the concept and practice of system leadership within the context of Welsh education reform. In the context of significant policy change and curriculum transformation, the study investigates how leadership that transcends individual schools can contribute to system-wide improvement. It specifically examines the terms educational system leader and educational system leadership, using an interpretivist approach (Thomas, 2017) to understand how these are perceived by educational leaders, advisers and policy influencers. Grounded in sociocultural theory (Rogoff, 1990, 1995, 2003), the research is framed by two central questions: What is understood by the term educational system leader? What is understood by the term educational system leadership? To address these questions, the study employed two qualitative data collection methods: an online questionnaire distributed to a purposive sample of global education professionals and follow-up interviews with four headteachers from across Wales. Reflexive thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2022), supported by Rogoff’s (2003) analytic framework, led to the development of seven themes. These findings culminated in the identification of five core principles of a system leader and eight essential aspects of system leadership, together forming an empirically derived model of system leadership in action. The study argues that system leadership in Wales is not merely an extension of traditional within-school leadership, but a distinct and necessary form of leadership that supports collaboration, coherence and reform across the education system. It contributes to the field of educational leadership by offering a contextually grounded understanding of system leadership and its role in driving sustainable change. The model developed through this research provides valuable insights for policy, practice and future research, particularly in supporting the ongoing transformation of education in Wales.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education
Divisions:	Theses and Dissertations > Doctoral Theses
Depositing User:	Victoria Hankinson
Date Deposited:	18 Sep 2025 14:40
Last Modified:	22 Sep 2025 15:42
URI:	https://repository.uwtsd.ac.uk/id/eprint/3923

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