Partners in Leadership

Our new professional development programme for middle leaders is to be launched in the Spring term of 2011 within selected areas of the South West. Partners in Leadership will be run over two-terms and will allow participants to gain valuable accreditation towards a Master's degree.

We have a long history of delivering leadership programmes. We became the provider for the National College for the Leadership of Schools and Children's Services Leading from the Middle (LftM) programme in the South West region in 2006, a responsibility we still hold. Regrettably LftM is now coming to an end. The last cohort of the programme is underway and recruitment to the programme is no longer possible. It is intended that Partners in Leadership will cover many of the same areas as Leading from the Middle while using completely different content and approaches.

This is a powerful programme which has the following key characteristics;

• Development of a greater understanding of individuals as professionals and leaders
• Application of the learning to create and implement a plan for the development leadership
• Built-in time to engage in academic study and to reflect upon it
• Integral units which will allow participants to gain Masters Level credits or certification.

The programme structure enables middle leaders to determine the focus of their own leadership development through a school based change activity. Importantly, Partners in Leadership also offers participants the opportunity to network and learn with colleagues from other schools. The core programme takes place over three full days spread over two terms with a final celebration twilight.

Eligible middle leader roles include: subject/curriculum leader, head of department, pastoral leaders, e.g. head of year or head of house, SENCOs, gifted and talented
co-ordinators, advanced skills teachers, assessment co-ordinators and careers
co-ordinators plus support staff leadership roles at a similar level.

As the content of the programme is completely new, it would be suitable for those who have undertaken Leading from the Middle as well as those who have never engaged in any National College programmes. The cost of the programme is £650 per person which is exactly the same for all schools, state or independent, academies or free schools. Our intention is to deliver programmes with participants from a wide range of school types.