The Deputy Headteacher as the Leader of the Curriculum in Primary Schools

This article argues that the deputy headteacher is well placed to exercise curriculum leadership within the collegially run primary school; this role lays emphasis on interpersonal relations. Key factors in the successful development and implementation of the deputy head‐teacher's role are identified and investigated empirically to discover how well they are supported in their role through in‐service education and what are the institutional needs which have to be met in order for their role to be implemented fully. The results indicate (i) that deputy headteachers, whilst being well prepared for curriculum leadership in some areas, require much more specific, differentiated and evolutionary in‐service support, and (ii) that in‐school support for deputy headteachers will have to be provided if they are to undertake this leadership role successfully.