The Construction of Identities: Female Early-Years Principals’ Perceptions and Experiences of Their Role

• In Event: Roundtable Session 101
  In Roundtable Session: Gender and Gendered Knowledges and/in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

This paper presents research undertaken with female principals in early years schools within the UK and explores several influential discourses in relation to female principals’ identities. It seeks to examine themes inherent in principals’ discourses as they reflect upon their roles and experiences within the school context and to consider the practice of identity construction. The paper discusses the ways in which different identities are constructed for principals by parents, governors and wider society and also how a variety of discourses impact on women’s professional lives. Females at this level experience diverse challenges. The paper concludes that explorations of gender and discourse illuminate the nature of the role of principal and should impact significantly on policy and practice.

Author

• Deborah Jones, Brunel University