The Division Head is often a “middle man” of sorts in your school hierarchy. You must support the School Head and Leadership Team as they lead the school to meet the mission. You are also responsible for ensuring teachers have what they need to succeed.
Therefore, it’s integral that this individual—one that holds everyone together—gets what it needs to prosper. ISM recently performed a study to better understand what Division Heads require to feel a sense of predictability and support, and how their well-being plays in driving a healthy school culture.
ISM researchers examined responses from 40 Division Heads at 19 schools. The results illustrate that three key factors play a role in how successful Division Heads are in their position, and how that can impact the school as a whole.
- The different “means of support” the Division Head receives. This might include a close friend in the education field, a trusted peer group, a formal or informal mentor or coach, or a School Head who provides clear direction.
- The support from the School Head. This is perhaps the single most important relationship a Division Head has at their school. When Division Heads feel supported by the School Head through fair and useful evaluation, support for their plans, and constructive feedback and reinforcement, they will often feel better about their role overall.
- Solid relationships with faculty, staff, other administrators, and in their home lives. The greater the harmony the Division Head feels in all relationships—not just the absence of conflict—the healthier the school’s faculty culture.
These are key factors that Division Heads need to be successful in their roles, and further, help the school prosper as a whole. This can extend further to indirectly influence student performance, satisfaction, and enthusiasm.
Share these insights with your fellow Division Heads and your School Head. It’s important that everyone understands that well-being and a healthy culture have immense implications for every aspect of how your school runs.
Well-being is not something to be managed as an afterthought. It is a strategic practice that, when done correctly, facilitates effective functioning for the entire school.
Additional ISM Resources:
The Source for Academic Leadership Vol. 15 No. 9 Four Tips for New Division Heads
Additional ISM resources for members:
I&P Vol. 43 No. 8 How to Provide Predictability and Support to the Division Head
I&P Vol. 42 No. 14 Executive Leadership: The Relationships Between Predictability and Support, the School Head's Well-Being, and Faculty Culture
I&P Vol. 41 No. 6 From Toxic to Healthy: How to Move Your School’s Culture
