Trusts Join Forces To Help Develop Educational Leaders

The Developing Middle Leadership Programme was a concept instigated by Voyage’s Chief Education Officer Clare Willerton and has resulted in joint-led sessions with the Horncastle Education Trust (HET).

Clare said: “As highlighted in Voyage’s Strategic Plan, developing educational leaders across our Trust is a priority for us in our drive to provide development opportunities to our employees.

“We are proud to be working in partnership with HET on this programme, which is designed for current middle leaders and those about to step into middle leadership.

“Our aim is to help develop confidence and leadership skills, with the objectives of each session targeted at improving participants’ abilities to lead, manage change, and develop others within a team.

“Those who attend explore current leadership skills, set goals for building on these and learn new ones.”

The programme is delivered through a blended approach designed to:

· Provide opportunities to network and share best practice

· Engage in peer learning through reflection and group problem-solving

· Provide individual leadership coaching opportunities

The sessions alternate between Boston and Horncastle, based at Staniland Academy and Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Session focus topics include:

· Monitoring, evaluating and leading teaching and learning and the role of Modelling and dialogue

· Understanding roles in the context of the new Ofsted framework

· Building and leading effective teams

· Leading and sustaining effective change

Clare said: “For the first year we opened it up to a cohort of 24 leaders across the 12 schools within the two Trusts. We are now full on cohort 1, with a waiting list for cohort 2.

“We want our middle leaders to be inspired by great leadership, so have had a mixture of senior leaders across the Trusts deliver sessions in order to bring their experiences to the group.”

The first three sessions featured Emma Hadley (Voyage’s CEO), Dr Craig Early (Headteacher of Wygate Park Academy), Wayne Oldfield (Voyage’s COO), Sandra James (HET’s CEO), Sue How (HET) and Claire Buffham (guest speaker from HMI)

Feedback from those who have attended and experienced the sessions has included:

“Thank you all again for what was honestly my favourite training session in 13 years as a teacher.”

“I’ve had a fantastic afternoon and found everything really inspirational! I’m really looking forward to the next session. Thank you all!”

“It reassured me that other middle leaders have the same feelings as myself, particularly in regards to self-regulation. It was great to have open, honest, professional discussions.”

“I found the entirety of the session incredibly inspirational. It really challenged my way of thinking as a leader and made me consider the type of leader I am.”

Clare said: “The time and commitment contributed to the launch of this joint programme between our respective Trusts has been fantastic.

“It provides a very exciting opportunity for us and we feel privileged to be working with inspirational leaders who are values-driven and hold sincere moral purpose as a driving force for authentic leadership.

“This has been evident from the engagement and professional honesty shown by participants.”

Jo Fieldsend, Director of CPLD for HET, said: "Such a brilliant environment has been created by this programme and the attendees clearly get a lot from it.

"We are genuinely excited by the opportunity for partnership working across our organisations, together we can make such a positive difference. These are exciting times!"