PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SCHOOL
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Crickhowell High School
Introduction
Crickhowell High School has committed to the implementation of the Professional Learning School model and
accepted the conditions attached to becoming a PLS for Leadership Development. We are developing our
current Leadership Development Programme to include further elements of excellent practice to ensure that
this Case Study provides appropriate guidance for other schools in the region for developing or improving their
own programmes with relation to this aspect of school development.
Outline information:
 Lead senior member of staff:
Mr. D. Barry Deputy Headteacher
 Other staff with responsibility:
Mrs N.Thomas Deputy Headteacher
Brief description and outline plan including expected impact:
Crickhowell High School Leadership Development Programme
The Leadership Development Programme in our school is being refined to ensure we provide opportunities for all
colleagues to begin or continue their journey in educational leadership. Where colleagues are studying leadership
development, this programme can provide significant opportunities for action research which can contribute to
leadership modules for current leadership programmes or those being developed: such as the Diploma and Masters
Programmes being developed by UWTSD. As part of the programme we also offer colleagues the opportunity to
shadow and work alongside leadership colleagues to develop a deeper understanding of the expectations, functions
and accountability that are associated with school leadership. All staff are supported in the stages of their leadership
development with a view to succession planning and progression from NQT to Executive Headship.
Opportunities for development within our school include:
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Understanding the role of School Leadership from Middle to Senior Leadership
Data analysis and its use to close the gap
Strategic curriculum planning
Leadership v management
Leading through change
Moral Leadership
Understanding School Finance
Self-Evaluation and Development Planning for continuous school improvement
Effective use of educational research
Managing staff on a practical day to day basis
Time management and prioritisation of tasks
Leadership Standards in Wales
Colleagues will work alongside current school leaders for a school year to acquire the valuable leadership experience
and insight that will allow them to develop their leadership style and portfolio knowledge. Through the opportunities
for leadership development outlined above, colleagues will gain a deeper understanding of the role of a school leader
and enhance their current knowledge and skills.
Colleagues will set one of their performance management objectives with a clear focus on developing their leadership
knowledge and skills, matching this against national standards and utilizing the recommendations of Estyn in
developing professional leadership standards.
Colleagues will develop an understanding of the Leadership Standards in Wales
The School also hosts the Outstanding Teacher Programme and the iNET Aspiring Senior Leaders Programme
OTP Programme
iNET Aspiring Leaders
Key elements that the school considers can be shared with other schools:
1. How to provide opportunities for developing aspiring middle and senior leaders
within the school context
2. The structure and delivery of our Leadership Development Programme
3. Information about the key areas to focus on throughout the year and tasks that are
offered as developmental for aspiring middle and senior leadership roles
4. The links to subject self-evaluation, development plans and CPD
5. The link to performance management and opportunities to access external
leadership training modules through the UWTSD
As a Professional Learning School for Leadership Development, Crickhowell High School will continue
to use regional funding and other resources to:
 Attend meetings to monitor, evaluate and review practices in developing the regional model
of good practice for Professional Learning Schools
 Collaborate with UWTSD in developing modules of Professional Learning for teachers at all
stages of career development
 Develop the use of resources to continue to effectively support our school programme
 Offer ways of sharing the excellent practice with other schools across the LA/Hub/Region
 Plan for and deliver INSET to schools within the LA and across the Hub/Region
 Participate in school to school support programmes
 Provide progress reports and feedback to ERW and other PLS schools
 Develop the Case Study for ERW as a Centre of Excellence Practice
 Deliver presentations to the relevant bodies as required (ERW: WG: LAs: Schools)
Contact for further details
Schools that are interested in finding out more about the developments and current practice at our
school are welcome to contact us when we would be more than ready to arrange a visit at a mutually
convenient time.
Contact details:
Headteacher:
Mrs Jackie Parker
Email:
Office@crickhs.org
Telephone:
01873 813500
Further information about the school is on our website:
Crickhowell High School
Further information about ERW is on the regional website:
ERW Website