About
Tom started his career as a high school teacher in economics and accountancy. He was a member of the academic staff of the following tertiary institutions: University of South Africa (Pretoria, South Africa), Central University of Technology (Bloemfontein, South Africa), Vista University (Sebokeng, South Africa) and the University of Johannesburg before joining the University of Birmingham in 2008 and was awarded Professor Emeritus status from the University of Johannesburg. His doctoral thesis was on the influence of a schooling system on the economy of a country. This interest was further researched and explored and reported on in eight co-authored books, three chapter contributions to academic books and 31 peer reviewed journal articles. He presented his work at more than 32 international conferences.
He was the deputy president of the Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Management (CCEAM) (2004-2008) and on the steering committee for the biannual conference in Durban, South Africa (2008).
He is presently involved in a five year research project on failing schools in South Africa funded by the South African National Research Foundation.
He is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Research and Reflections in Education (JRRE), University of Education , Lahore, India; Professional Development in Education (Editor: Ken Jones, Swansea Metropolitan University, UK); and Journal of Research on Leadership Education (University of Missouri-Columbia, USA).
Qualifications
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DEd (UNISA)
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MEd (UNISA)
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BCom(hons) (PU)
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PGCE(PU)
Biography
Tom is a fellow of the Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Management (FCCEAM) and a member of the South African Academy of Science and Art – LAkad(SA). He is a visiting professor of the Vaal University of Technology in South Africa 2010-2014.
Teaching
He is involved in the MEd programme offered by the School of Education as a Contributing Tutor for the module: Education Observation, Evaluation and Supervision and the Lead Tutor for the module: Leadership for School Improvement.
He is a Tutor and Supervisor for the EdD programme: Leaders and Leadership in Education.
Postgraduate supervision
He is supervising PhD students.
Research
Specialises in School Marketing, School Financial Management and Project Management in Education.
Large funded research projects
2010-2014: As a South Africa National Research Foundation (NRF) rated researcher Tom was granted an Incentive Funding Grant for Rated Researchers from the NRF to the amount of £4 000 per year for 5 years (2010-2014) in total £20 000. The research will explore the possibility of using an Academy type school type to address the ever growing number of dysfunctional schools in the South African system. The project is financially administered by the Vaal University of Technology.
Other activities
He is the co-editor with Chris Rhodes of the International Studies in Educational Administration (Official journal of the CCEAM)
Publications
Authored Books
Bisschoff, T. & Rhodes, C. (2011). From Good Schools for Some to Better Schools for All, in Day, C. 2011. The Routledge International Handbook of Teacher and School Development. (ISBN 978-0-415-66970-2) Oxford: Routledge Education.
Bisschoff, T.C. & Rhodes, C.P. (2011). Transformation through marketing: a case of a secondary school in South Africa., in Tripathi, P. & Mukerji, S. 2011. Cases on Innovation in Educational marketing: Transnational and Technological Strategies. (ISBN 10:1609605993) New Delhi: IGI-Global.
Mestry R & Bisschoff T (2009). Financial School Management explained, 3nd Edition. (ISBN 978-1-77025-485-5) Cape Town: Pearson Education South Africa.
Joubert, R. & Bray, E. (Eds) (2007). Public School Governance in South Africa (ISBN: 0-620-37203-6). Pretoria: CELP. Chapter 1: Administrative and Communicative Skills for Effective Schools.
Refereed journal articles
Du Plessis, P.; Bisschoff, T. & Chukwu, E. (2009). Sexual harassment in schools is not “routine adolescence” – A case study in the Vryheid School District of South Africa. Journal of Research and Reflections in Education. 3(2): 123-138.
Mestry, R.; Hendricks, I. & Bisschoff, T. (2009). Perceptions of teachers on the benefits of teacher development programmes in one province of South Africa. South African Journal of Education. 29: 475-490.
Bisschoff, T. & Mathye, A. (2009). The advocacy of an appraisal system for teachers: a case study. South African Journal of Education. 29: 393-404.
Bisschoff, T. (2009). Mandated change gone wrong? A case study of law-based school reform in South Africa. International Journal of Educational Management. 23(4), 336-347.
Publications 2001 - Present (PDF 266KB, opens new window)