The Engine Room - Building the Capacity of Middle Leadership

Aims

To build capacity of middle leaders to lead school improvement, in order to develop high quality learning experiences and improve outcomes for pupils.

This programme consists of 3 x ½ day face-to-face sessions facilitated by officers in the Post-primary and Special School Improvement Team. It supports middle leaders to make a positive difference to learners by enhancing their leadership capacity.

Sessions provide opportunities for participants to engage in high quality professional dialogue with peers and apply what they learn to their leadership practice. Sessions will focus on the following key questions:

Session 1

• What is my role and responsibility as a middle leader?
• How do I develop a compelling vision that motivates others?
• What does my leadership feel like to those I lead?
• How do I know how good we are as a team?

Session 2

• How do I create a culture which fosters improvement within my team?
• How do I know what works?
• How do I plan effectively for improvement?

Session 3

• How do I build an effective team?
• How do I manage resistance to change?
• How do I secure accountability?

These sessions are intended as a starting point for participants to consider exploring and developing one or more of the above themes in more detail, which they may wish to pursue with their designated School Improvement Professional. Participants will attend all sessions and will be supported to engage in inquiry-based practice between sessions.

Please note: This programme is available to ALCs or individual schools and can be accessed through the school's SIPP or ALC Link Officer.