This article presents research undertaken with female headteachers in UK primary schools and explores several influential discourses in relation to female headteachers' identities. It considers themes inherent in women's narratives as they reflect upon their professional lives and discusses various identities inhabited by female leaders which…

This article presents research undertaken with female teachers which explores their perceptions and experiences of male teachers in early years contexts. It considers male trainee teachers experiences, examining prevalent, contrary discourses and their impact on the construction of male teachers' identities. The article notes that public…

This article considers the issue of recruitment of men into primary teaching, with particular reference to key stage one (for five to seven year olds) in England. The latest UK statistics reveal that there are 26,200 male primary teachers and 141,000 females. However, there are disproportionately greater numbers of male headteachers. The presence…

Discusses findings from evaluation of national "School Friends" project set up by British Telecom (BT) in the United Kingdom, in which BT employees volunteered to assist with literacy learning in primary schools. Notes evaluation findings that industry role models raised students' confidence and enthusiasm for reading, especially among…

This article considers the issue of recruitment of men into primary teaching, with particular reference to the early years of schooling. The latest UK statistics reveal that there are 27,000 male primary teachers and 141,000 females. However there are disproportionately greater numbers of male head teachers. The presence of men in this environment…