Cultural historical activity theory to illuminate leadership practices in a group of children’s centres

The context of leadership in children’s centres is described as complex and high-pressured. One group of children’s centres is introduced that are enacting high quality leadership despite these pressures. This paper uses cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) to understand what comprises these practices in order to render them visible and to promote further organisational development. Further, the analysis of different levels of CHAT leadership practices enabled leaders to understand tacit lived-experiences.