There is no school that is beyond redemption. Good leaders can redeem and turn around chronically low achieving schools, even if perceived hopeless. The big question is what makes some school principals tick and others less successful? Effective and successful school principals share a lot of common qualities and professional practices. Tone setting plays a pivotal role in determining how high and how far a school can go. They say first impressions last longer. The quality and mood of a school is decided on day one.
The key is clarity of purpose. The why part of things. Defining a common purpose and sharing this with the team creates a sense of oneness and togetherness. Purpose driven teams stand a better chance of success. It should not just be about what to teach (content) and how to teach (pedagogy) but most importantly the why (purpose) should form part of the tone setting. The very thing that matters most should be defined, the reason for doing it and how to go about it.
