Leading Professional Development in a South African Primary School: A Visual Ethnographic Study.

Abstract

Studies on school development show that principals need to extend their traditional roles and become involved in the professional development (PD) of their staff to improve school development. This study explores the way in which a principal has lead invitational education (IE) as an example of PD within his school setting. It attempts to address the following research question: How has the principal led the school in professional development by making intentionally inviting changes in the school? A qualitative study using visual ethnography was deemed suitable to investigate the principal’s perceptions of the way in which intentional changes according to the IE model was made in his school. Both the ISS-R and the portfolio application emphasise the 5 Ps in the model of invitational education– that is people, places, processes, policies and programmes. The following major categories emerged from the data analysis: Strengthening the school culture to become intentionally inviting (Focussing on people (People); Orchestrating the context in which schooling takes place (Processes); Creating an infrastructure in schools that enhances IE intentionally (Changing the physical setting (Places); Regulating the functions of the school (Policies) and Developing people through helpful initiatives (Programmes).