EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN: ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES IN EDUCATION

In a period of staff shortages, women teachers are under‐represented in school management and experience inequalities of pay and treatment. Management training and government policy on staffing overlooks the possible contribution of women to management despite the considerable evidence available of how women are discriminated against directly and indirectly, preventing access into management. The development of management concepts in education is recent but this has re‐emphasised the masculine associations of school leadership. Lines of action for change have been indicated through past developments but the changed circumstances following the Education Reform Act 1988 have created new difficulties for women despite their potential as effective managers in a changing education climate.