Ten books for the summer break, all written by school leaders for school leaders and chosen from SchoolLeaderBooks.com.
Recommended Titles for Your Summer Break
The Honest Headteacher – Hannah Carter
A candid account of the realities of headship, with humour.
Authentic School Improvement – Victoria Carr
A guide to leading sustainable change grounded in trust, inclusion, and school culture.
No Silver Bullets 2.0 – Paul Ainsworth
An updated, evidence-based take on continuous school improvement: what works, not what’s fashionable.
School Leaders Matter – Helen Kelly
Leadership wellbeing, burnout, and how to make the job healthier for those who lead.
Codified Leadership – Caroline Sherwood & Andrew Finney
A practical framework for consistent, intentional leadership grounded in shared values and action.
The Nine Pillars of Great Schools – Rachel MacFarlane
A blueprint for school improvement and building school culture.
The Awkward Questions in Education – Al Kingsley MBE
A provocative look at the big issues facing schools today.
The Wellbeing Toolkit – Andrew Cowley
Practical strategies for creating a positive staff culture that supports wellbeing at every level.
Irresistible Learning – Graham Chisnell
How to create engaging, meaningful learning experiences across your school.
Leadership with a Moral Purpose – Will Ryan
A call to lead with values, courage and commitment to children.
What’s on your summer reading list?
Share your favourite leadership reads in the Headteacher Chat Community. More reviews are on SchoolLeaderBooks.com and the Headteacher Chat Blogs.
