Third Rails

Many schools have "third rails," those electrified issues where a mere touch brings potential death for a headship. In one recent instance, the third rail was/is an issue of a longstanding tradition of chapel, despite the school having abandoned its religious affiliation decades ago. Another case in point involved facilities, where a "shabby chic" appearance was taken as validation that the school eschewed "glitz" or spiffy rather than utilitarian facilities.New heads (or heads new to their schools) would do well to assume that their school has at least one (and maybe more) third rails. The trick is to suss out the prospects before grabbing hold with both hands.