This article discusses performance management within the public sector and specifically analyses the impact of the new statutory headteacher performance management scheme in a sample of Kent's secondary schools. Secondary headteachers in East Kent appear to have responded positively to the new scheme and are effectively establishing a performance management culture within their schools. Major improvements brought about by the performance management scheme would appear to be a closer linkage between school and staff management systems. There is some disagreement, however, about the role that performance management has had in raising standards in the classroom and also whether performance management has enhanced target setting and review procedures. The article concludes that it would be useful to re-examine the data at a later date when the performance management scheme has settled and to extend it to the primary education sector across a variety of geographical locations.
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