An investigation into primary school leadership practice: Introducing the PIVOT framework of leadership

This article reports on doctoral research into the leadership practice of members of senior leadership teams in primary schools in England. We present the research findings as a visual construct representing school leadership as an integrated, holistic and dynamic process, named the PIVOT framework of leadership. This original structure connects the organizational systems, individual school contexts and leaders' personal and professional development using five inter-related key themes. The central space of the PIVOT locates leadership as a balancing, mediating process, addressing issues associated with Purpose, Identity, Values, Options and Trust. Using this framework, school leadership is conceptualized as educational leadership, describing and analysing leaders' practice as they develop their leadership in a trajectory of professional, intellectual and personal growth. © 2012 British Educational Leadership, Management & Administration Society (BELMAS).