The application of a reflective practitioner methodology by clerks to college governing bodies in England: reviewing the benefits for clerks, and also for college governors and college senior staff

Abstract

This paper considers the application of a professional reflective journal to support the role of the clerk to the college governing body in England. Background detail regarding the role of the ‘clerk to the corporation’ in England is provided. The paper explains the basis for the formation of a reflective journal using a critical incident analysis methodology. The critical incident of most importance to clerks to college governing bodies is assumed to be the meeting of the governing body. The paper also provides a theoretical framework within which to locate this approach to the formation and application of a reflective journal. Two applied studies of the use of a reflective journal are described, including responses from participating clerks from their reflective experience. The paper concludes with a summary of the usefulness of this innovative approach to professional development for clerks to college governing bodies and explores some possible next steps in the application of this reflective methodology within leadership of colleges.