Faculty of Education - Theses

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Author: HUERTA VILLALOBOS, MARCELA × End date: 2023 × Start date: 2010 × Type: Masters Research thesis ×

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    The role of the critical friend in leadership and school improvement
    HUERTA VILLALOBOS, MARCELA ( 2014)
    This research is a case study, which took place at a co-educational public government school in Broadmeadows, a northern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. This study investigated the role of the critical friend in supporting school leadership and school improvement. Critical friendship is a versatile form of external support for school colleagues engaged in leadership activities, and one that is subject to increasing professional and political interest. The role of the critical friend as a facilitator of change has become an important component of a range of school improvement, health promotion and professional learning initiatives in school communities. Effective critical friends draw on a repertoire of actions, depending on the context, participants and phase in the change process at any particular point in time. This concept is closely aligned with mentoring and coaching. The purpose of the study was to explore the notion of the critical friend and investigate the role through a case study, which questioned, the role and impact of the critical friend in supporting school improvement. This case study used qualitative methods. Data were collected using multi-perspective interviews with thirteen participants within a school setting who have been involved with a critical friend. This study revealed that schools in the process of improvement can benefit from a blend of internal and external support to become successful. A critical friend contributes an objective perspective which is necessary for a balanced approach in undertaking school change and transformation. A number of aspects of the role of the critical friend were found to be important for school improvement. First, genuine dedication and a high level of commitment helped to build leadership capacity. Second, a critical friend was considered by respondents as someone much more relevant to school improvement than a normal coach, developing a high level of confidence in their knowledge and support. Finally, the relationship between school leaders and critical friends is closer than one which has an external agent working at the school.