`Leaders and Leadership in Education makes a significant contribution to improvement literature. It will challenge school managers taking headship and leadership qualifications, or any reader with a serious interest in reconceptualising leadership for learning′ - TES Friday Magazine `Leaders and Leadership in Education is a well-documented account of how leadership has been studied and therefore presented. For academic readers it is valuable as an insightful and critical text′ - Journal of In-Service Education `Helen Gunter′s book makes a significant contribution to the existing literature on leadership in education.... For anyone who has an interest in current thinking about leadership and in reconceptualizing leadership for learning, this book will be of great interest′ - Educational Research Leadership within educational settings is widely regarded as essential for organizational effectiveness and the improvement of learning outcomes. Through an extensive review of theory and practice, Helen M Gunter explores the contested field of leadership studies. She describes and critiques the different contributions made by: - critical studies - education management - school effectiveness - school improvement Leadership is examined as function, as behaviour and as leadership relationship, from students as leaders, through to headteachers. The author provides an up-to-date review of current thinking about leadership, which challenges the reader to engage with and develop alternative ways of thinking about their own leadership. This book is essential reading for practitioners on Masters and EdD courses and NPQH/LPSH training, and for anyone committed to teaching and learning.