Leading from the Middle

Peterhouse Technology Park96 Fulbourn Road

Cambridge CB1 9AH

Where are we based?

What is the ELC?

• The ELC is provider for many leadership programmes in the east region and in particular NCSL programmes

• The ELC aims to promote leadership development for teachers, headteachers, bursars, governors, teaching assistants and others working in education

National Programmes• Leading from the Middle • National Professional Qualification for Headship• Head for the Future• NPQ Integrated Centre Leadership• Bursar Development Programme• Higher Level Teaching Assistant Training

Programme• DCSI (Developing the Capacity for Sustained Improvement)

• WTFS (Working Together for Success)

Leading from the Middle

The first national programme for Middle Leaders

Intended to support teachers who have leadership and management responsibilities including heads of subject/area and subject co-ordinators

Programme aims

increase middle leaders’ ability to lead innovation and change in the context of their own school and the national agenda

deepen their knowledge and understanding of their role in leading learning and teaching

enhance their self-confidence and competence as team leaders

encourage them to build capacity in their own area through the efficient and effective management of people and resources

Key Concepts of LftM

Based on self-directed learning in a blended learning environment

Blended learning environment includes online diagnostic; leadership focus; development days; coaching process model and reflective journal

The programme is designed for a ‘Learning Set’ from each school, consisting of between 2 and 4 participants and a leadership coach. A school can have more than one learning set.

Programme model

Development Day for CoachesUnderstanding the LftM programme and role of the coach

Coaching characteristics and skills

Practising coachingAnalysis – where am I now?Direction setting – where do I want to be?Action planning – how will I get there?

Introduction of online learning and the Learning Gateway

Induction Session – TwilightFor coaches and participants

Introductions and Overview of LftM The benefits of the programme to the school group

Accessing the Learning Gateway

Next steps

Development Day 1Participants only

Self-Awareness

Introductions and the role of the middle leader

The national agenda

Processing the Middle Leader Development Diagnostic

Reflection and next steps

Capabilities established as the key to success for Middle LeadersPersonal Impact: Self awareness and personal development

Focus and commitment; Drive and determination

Leading Learning: Understanding learning Developing the learning environment

Leading Innovation Understanding the National Reform Agendaand Change: Vision and Strategic thinking

Flexibility and openness to changeMotivation and team awareness

Building Capacity: Communication and influence Forward planning and organising Managing resources and performance Analytical thinking and problem solving Developing others

Leadership Coach TwilightCoaches only

Review and development

Personal style and the principles of adult learning

Designing adult learning for the learning set

Review and preview

Development Day 2Participants only

Self-Development

Review/preview – processing the learning

Exploring change, goal setting and planning for action

Barriers to change and influencing behaviour

Next steps

Development Day 3Participants only

Leading Teams

Integrating the learning and understanding your team

Extending listening skills

Coaching to improve team performance

Next steps

Celebration/Learning ConversationParticipants and coaches

Review/preview

The Learning Conversations

Leadership Lessons

Celebration

Resources toolbar

Learning Pathway

Coaching tasks model

Roles within LftM

The Headteacher identifies the middle leaders and leadership coach then has a ‘light touch’ during the programme

The Leadership Coach has a critical role, supporting and challenging the participants in their school-based work

The Facilitator supports the leadership coach and facilitates the development days for the participants

The Provider administers the programme NCSL provides programme materials

Time commitmentFace to Face development days:

Participants - 2 twilight sessions and 3 full daysLeadership Coaches - 3 twilight sessions and 1 full day

There are a range of intersessional tasks and activities online for participants to complete between development days.

Participants also need to work on their leadership focus in school and meet regularly with their leadership coach.

The programme spans 9-10 months

Who is eligible for LftM?

LftM is for middle leaders from primary, secondary and special schools

The programme is open to subject leaders; pastoral leaders; SENCOs; gifted and talented co-ordinators; advanced skills teachers; assessment co-ordinators and career co-ordinators. It is appropriate for any middle leader with leadership responsibilities

How many places are available?

The programme starts in September and April each year. In the East of England, we have 475 places for September, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

A waiting list will be kept for applicants beyond this number for

the April start.

The mid year cohort is usually smaller than the September one, as many schools like to complete the programme in a single academic year.

When would the programme start?

The next set of programmes will begin in September 2007 and complete in July 2008

LCD (whole day) September 2007Induction (twilight) October 2007 DD1 (whole day) November / December 2007LC TWL (twilight) January 2008DD2 (whole day) January/February 2008DD3 (whole day) May 2008Consolidation/Celebration event (twilight) July 2008

What will the programme cost?

NCSL currently subsidises 60% of the participant fee and schools contribute £400 per middle leader. There is no charge for the leadership coach training and support.

The school also pays the supply costs (3 days per participant) and travel costs of the learning set

NCSL pays all of the other course costs.

The costs of participants from schools with fewer than 100 pupils are met by NCSL.

How do schools apply?

Applications are now being accepted until 8 June 2007 at noon.

To apply, schools need to go the the NCSL website:

www.ncsl.org.uk/lftm

This will provide further information about the course and

application details.

NCSL will carry out the registration process and inform successful schools once this is completed.

A Collaborative Model of LftMA group of schools, such as a consortium or learning network,

can arranged a programme specifically for themselves.

Advantages of this approach: Will build middle leadership capacity and strengthen local

relationships Flexibility for delivery dates (within model) Tutors selected to match the needs of the group A local venue

Full details at www.ncsl.org.uk/lftm and follow links to collaborative groups

Collaborative questions …

Q: How many middle leaders will we need?A: A minimum of 18, maximum of 24

Q: Can the collaborative be cross-phase?A: Collaboratives can be single or cross phase

Q: How many leadership coaches will we need?A: Each coach will probably have 2 – 4 participants to work with

Q: Does the coach need to be at the same school as the participants?A: Not necessarily with the collaborative model, however, both need to be

aware of the level of commitment required from the leadership coach

More collaborative questions …

Q: Who co-ordinates communication between group members?

A: The collaborative group nominates a key person to act as a link

Q: How much will the collaborative model cost?A: The cost is the same as for schools - £400 per participant

Q: How flexible are the face-to-face training dates?A: The group can start at any time in the academic year, but

must observe the model to allow sufficient time between development days

Q: Can a single school apply as a collaborative?A: This could be considered, but would not be advised

How do we apply as a collaborative group?

The process is to complete a pre-application questionnaire to help focus your ideas for the collaborative

The questionnaire is returned to the Eastern Leadership Centre

Once the application is accepted, the key person then completes the online application on behalf of the whole group

The provider then organises the programme with the collaborative group

TLA certification/recognition

NCSL and the GTCE have created a partnership (Teacher Learning Academy) to provide professional recognition for participants’ learning whilst engaged with LftM

Participants are able to submit evidence and will be given full guidance to help develop their submission.

Coaches can gain recognition for their role in supporting participants through LftM and the TLA processes and can also gain higher level recognition if they make a detailed submission

Further information on TLA recognition

If you enrol on LftM, your Facilitators will provide further information at your Induction-Engagement twilight session

You can find further information, including sample submissions at www.gtce.org.uk/tla

Look for the LftM link

The impact of LftMWhat the Participants said:

“My confidence as a leader has grown enormously while on the programme”

“Leading from the Middle has enabled me to celebrate my strengths and identify areas for future development”

“I have learned how to lead and manage my team” “We are now able to build more effective teams with better

delegation” “The programme helped to open up opportunities for me

this year which I would never have dreamt of. Since our last development day, I’ve been appointed Deputy Head”

“My team is working more closely now and is clearer about what is needed to improve teaching and learning”

What the Coaches said:

“LftM has provided a superb opportunity to work with a group of staff I would not usually have worked with”

“My skills in coaching others have really taken off. I never realised coaching could be such a powerful tool in professional development”

“I have learned to listen and not provide my solutions” “I have learned that middle leaders are a force for change

within the institution” “I listen and don’t immediately judge” “There has been an impact in the middle leaders’

departments and it is planned to disseminate this across the school”

What the schools said:

“I have watched our participants grow in self-esteem and confidence as a result of the programme. This has really impacted on work in school”

“The school now has more confident and focused middle leaders”

“It has been incredibly rewarding to see the impact this has had on our school”

“Success at middle leadership level means success at school level”

We are keen to support new middle leaders with LftM rather than some external one day courses, which don't deliver anything like such high quality and progressive development”

Leading from the Middle

Thank you

www.ncsl.org.uk/lftm