A panel of four experts (two senior researchers and two senior management experts from the private sector) was consulted when questions arose about coding or interpretation of the data. In addition, middle managers were asked to identify any other factors which were seen to impact upon participation in decision making in their schools. It must be acknowledged, however, that because the number of headteacher interviews conducted was small in relation to the number of middle managers in the study, conclusions emanating from this stage of the research should be viewed as suggestive rather than definitive in nature. Each respondent was interviewed on one occasion. Some of these interviews lasted as long as two hours, with an average length of 70 minutes. Participants were encouraged to talk about the school organisation, school culture, school activities and professional development issues from their point of view.