Amidst the voices questioning the efficacy and morality of England's current education system comes a book by Angela Browne, the headteacher featured in the BBC2 documentary series School, offering a new, positive, ground-up approach to leading a school in times of challenge.

The publisher describes an approach to ethical school leadership that places primary and secondary school leaders at the forefront of change in the education system. It provides an in-depth, realistic look at the current system, enabling school leaders to understand and contextualise their roles, before offering practical solutions to help them develop their leadership style, navigate the challenges they face and have a significant impact on their school and wider community.

Written in the context of an education system on the edge of a crisis, with students burning out, staff walking out and schools under increasing pressure to singlehandedly provide the social care so many young people desperately need, Lighting the Way argues that schools stand on the threshold of a new way forward. Angela uses her wealth of experience to show school leaders the path to being torchbearers, leading children with purpose, staff with integrity and the community towards wisdom with practical strategies, optimism and guidance.

What do we think?
The book makes a strong case for ethical leadership and what it does for pupils and staff.
Angela draws on research and real-world examples to show how ethical leadership can improve school culture, build trust and respect, and lead to better outcomes for pupils.
It includes practical advice on building relationships, making tough decisions and creating a values-driven school culture.

What the chapters cover

The book's contents page sets out 15 chapters in five parts:

  • Part 1, the case for school leadership: communities in crisis; a system on the brink; schools on the threshold.
  • Part 2, school leaders as torchbearers: the job of the school leader; deepening your sense of self; leading with clarity.
  • Part 3, leading staff with integrity: developing staff; leading people with kindness; working through crisis.
  • Part 4, leading children with moral purpose: teaching values; confronting difficult behaviour; school exclusions.
  • Part 5, leading beyond the school: breakthrough conversations with parents; compassionate engagement with families; changing the system.

Who it is for

Primary and secondary headteachers and senior leaders, particularly in schools serving communities under pressure, who want to think through the values behind decisions on staff, behaviour, exclusion and families. It was written in 2020; for the current legal framework on behaviour and suspensions, read it alongside the DfE's Behaviour in schools guidance.

About the book

  • Author: Angela Browne.
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Education. First published 2020; record date 9 July 2020.
  • ISBN: paperback 9781472972460; ePDF 9781472972446; ePub 9781472972453.

Source: the publisher's front matter and contents in Bloomsbury's extract of the book, checked 13 October 2026.