School leadership

One review investigated the impact of headteachers and principals on school outcomes:[1]

There was some evidence that school leaders can have some effect on student outcomes, albeit indirectly. One study found that change of leadership can have a substantial negative effect.
Evidence on achievement was mixed. Some studies reported weak positive effects; one study found a significant effect on language. One study found little or no effect on mathematics, while another found a significant effect on mathematics test scores.
Two primary school studies provided mixed evidence about leaders' effect on attitudes to learning. One reported no significant effect on student engagement, while a second found evidence of a moderate correlation between principals' leadership and attitudes to learning. One secondary school study reported indirect effects on non-academic student variables: participation in school, engagement with school and academic self-concept.
None of the studies collected specific data on recruitment or behaviour (i.e. student discipline). One descriptive study did provide some positive evidence based on proxy measures, while a case study highlighted the negative effect of change of leadership. One secondary school study found evidence of indirect effect on student retention.

References