An Introduction to Senior Leadership

Course Summary:

The Introduction to Senior Leadership Course takes a two-part approach to generate a rapid growth of understanding about breadth and depth of leadership at this level, combined with practical methods to develop, influence, monitor and evaluate the impact of the colleagues in a defined area of school improvement relevant to the participant.

The course is suitable for Middle Leaders aspiring to Senior Leadership, and those recently appointed to a Senior Leadership role*.

Course objectives:

As a result of their participation on the course, Leaders will:

• Have a refined awareness of the Principles contained within the Four Threads for School Improvement, and the associated Senior Leader Behaviours.
• Against an agreed improvement focus from the school's strategic development plan, accurately self-evaluate their own performance against the framework and action plan for their own further development, articulating their accountability and impact.
• Monitor and evaluate efficiently, influencing colleagues’ practice and quality of outcomes through well structured learning conversations, specifically related to the agree improvement focus.
• Routinely provide Headteachers, Trust advisers (if applicable) and Governors with accurate information about the quality of provision in their identified leadership responsibilities, based on their evaluative work.

Course outline:

Weeks 1-2

Introduction to the Four Threads materials, and the introduction of the principles of Professional Learning Conversations.

Weeks 3-4

Making use of the Leadership Thread, including planing Professional Learning Conversations, and exploring planning for change and evaluating outcomes.

Weeks 5-6

Making use of the Learning and Teaching Thread, including how to promote effective pedagogy in your subject.

Weeks 7-8

Making use of the Curriculum Thread, including promoting effective subject knowledge, skills and understanding and developing the distinct identity of your subject.

Weeks 9-10

Making use of the Success for All Thread, including ensuring that the needs of individual pupils are at the heart of practice.

Weeks 11-12

Self-evaluation and development planning, including reflections on your overall effectiveness as Senior Leader.

Course resources provided:

• Four Threads for School Improvement Senior Leader's Guidance
• Four Threads for School Improvement Pupil Behaviours Guidance
• Portal access for the duration of the course plus 1 year.