This course will focus on the interpersonal aspect of leadership by enabling participants to develop their understanding of human resource management and of educational institutions as learning organisations and communities.

A blend of synchronous and asynchronous online components.

The following courses are excluded for students who have completed Into Headship PGCert:

■ Fundamentals of Leadership, Management and Improvement

■ Leading Professional Collaboration

■ Tackling Wicked Issues in Education.

N/A

Participants will be assessed through a portfolio of work developed in response to this course and Fundamentals of Leadership, Management and Improvement course.

Portfolio components will be personalised to the individual student's context but will include:

a) A reflective report that draws on organisational culture as reflective practice in which participants identify and critically reflect on cultural artifacts in their organisation (1,000 words-25%)

b) A written assignment equivalent to 3,000 words (75%) in which participants demonstrate their knowledge, understanding, skills and application of the course through a critical analysis of a key educational leadership and change process that has, or is occurring, within their particular setting (department, school, educational organisation).

The portfolio assessment integrates learning from both Leading Professional Collaboration and Fundamentals of Leadership, Management and Improvement, allowing students to critically examine leadership and change through the lens of organisational culture and collaborative practice. By combining reflective analysis with a critical examination of a change process, the assessment supports a holistic understanding of how professional relationships and cultural dynamics shape improvement processes within educational settings.

The key aims of this course are to develop participants':

■ essential leadership dispositions for effectively managing people across diverse educational contexts, from leading small teams to overseeing entire organisations.

■ practical leadership skills including:

■  conflict resolution and time management,

■ mentoring and coaching,

■ strategic thinking, and decision-making

■ effective communication.

Together, these strands prepare participants to lead with insight, adaptability, and purpose.

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

■ Apply the key principles of leading strategic change and drive improvement.

■ Foster collaborative cultures that promote innovation, inclusion, and shared decision-making.

■ Critically reflect upon and evaluate professional practice and the potential to lead sustainable change within their setting.

■ Lead strategic initiatives that align with organisational goals.