Seven
Pathways for leaders
REFLECTION: What type of professional development is
most helpful?
We are beginning to see a shift from ‘courses’ on leadership towards experiential
development which takes place on-site (LfL p100)
Some examples of professional activities that are being taken forward include
the following:
Tick
Learning ‘on the job’ through shadowing and team teaching
Coaching and mentoring experiences
Teaming up with another member of staff or organisation or
establishment to exchange practice and ideas (at times buying in supply
cover to allow staff to undertake peer observation or visits)
Secondment opportunities
Opportunities for team teaching/ team presentations followed by review
and agreement on action points
180° or 360° feedback to identify strengths, areas for development and
aligned CPD opportunities
Being involved in chairing a working group or project or committee
Leading a development project
Attendance at leadership seminars, master classes or conferences
Attendance at agreed ‘core’ leadership and management courses in local
CPD directories
Professional review and development which is effectively tied into a
leadership framework such as the Standard for Headship
Mulit-agency professional development to share best practice and take
forward the children’s services agenda
Away days and retreats
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In the list above, place a tick in the box against the CPD activities you have
participated in.
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Take one activity that you have found particularly beneficial and discuss with your
group what benefits you feel you gained as a result of that opportunity.
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Seven: Pathways for leaders
What are the key professional development priorities?
What are the professional development priorities for the pre-school sector?
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Leadership training for non-teachers in posts with responsibility
Developing leadership by creating a workforce that is led by degree (or work-based
equivalent) qualified professionals
Leadership for learning for all heads of pre-school centres
Developing the skills of nursery teachers in leading teams
Developing the ability of all pre-school staff to recognise and respond appropriately to
children’s learning needs (reference LfL page 95)
What are the professional development priorities for the primary, secondary
and special sectors?
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Leadership for learning initiatives which impact directly on the experience of all
pupils from those with additional support needs to the most able
Multi-agency programmes to share best practice and take forward the children’s
services agenda
CPD for effective team and partnership working as well as self-evaluation and quality
assurance
Coaching and mentoring development
Leadership at all levels including pupil leadership
Developing approaches to the evaluation of leadership and management
programmes to evaluate their impact on personal and establishment effectiveness,
succession planning and/or the leadership of learners (Reference LfL page 96)
What are the professional development priorities for the CLD sector?
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The development of coherent pathways to develop leadership of staff at all levels
Opportunities to engage in skills development with leaders and aspiring leaders from
other sectors
Developing the skills and expertise of volunteers (Reference LfL page 98)
QUESTIONS
Review the priorities above
Select one priority that you feel you are covering well.
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What activities have been most beneficial in taking this priority forward, and why?
What impact have these activities had on (a) the practice and confidence of the
individuals concerned (b) the work of the establishment/service?
What one practical step could you take enhance further this priority/ this aspect of
leadership development?
Select one priority that you feel you need to do more work on.
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Why do you think you have not focused so much on this area?
What are the barriers to development?
What one practical step could you take to begin working on this area?
Repeat as necessary to cover the priorities above
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Seven: Pathways for leaders
Recording sheet
Tick
Leaders matter: exerting influence and making a difference
Vision, values and aims: sharing a common purpose
Leadership and direction: focusing on what’s important
Developing people and partnerships: building leadership capacity
Leadership of change and improvement: achieving results
Pathways for leaders
SECTION
Date
Theme
Key Points Arising
Action Points