Course Catalogue

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The aim of this course is to enable participants to understand their role as a headteacher in applying the principles and practices of strategic leadership to frame and conceptualise educational problems and issues. The starting point of Course 1 is a critical exploration of the wider local, national and global policy context to identify and frame a strategic educational issue. The course also explores the use of the Standard for Headship as a way of engaging in systematic self-evaluation and the planning of ongoing professional learning.

Programme delivered as full day and half day teaching sessions off campus and online.

Entry requirements for the PG Certificate 'Into Headship':

- a first degree or equivalent

- are fully registered with the GTCS

- have demonstrated experience of significant leadership and management practice as appropriate in their sector context

- are endorsed by their employer as an aspirant headteacher

- have a supportive reference from their Head Teacher/employer;

- have access to a suitable workplace environment in order to be able to overtake the practice-based components of the programme

- demonstrate readiness/potential for headship within the next 2/3 years.

Leading Strategic Change (Course 2)

Critical analysis of the current policy context which leads to the identification and justification of a strategic change issue to be addressed on the basis of evidence and educational argument. (4,000 words)

Critical reflection on their self-evaluation leading to identification of key priorities for their professional learning in leading and managing strategic change. (2,000 words)

The aim of this course is to enable participants to understand their role as a headteacher in applying the principles and practices of strategic leadership to conceptualise and frame educational problems and issues.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• examine and analyse critically education policy trends and articulate the implications for headship drawing from research and academic literature to inform their critical analyses

• report the key concepts underpinning strategic leadership in school

• present and justify the educational purposes underpinning the focus for strategic change;

• articulate the relationship between their professional values and personal commitment in their role as a strategic leader

■ evaluate systematically their practice and development as a strategic leader against the Standard for Headship drawing from research and academic literature to inform their critical analyses

The participants must successfully complete the summative assignment.