The Engine Room - Locality North

AIMS

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

Structure / Content

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.

The Engine Room - Locality East

AIMS

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

Structure / Content

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.

The Engine Room - Locality South West

AIMS

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

Structure / Content

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.

Effective Use of Pupil Performance Data

It is only necessary to select one date as the session is repeated. If the session is being viewed collectively, it is only necessary to make one registration for your school.  Aims:  To consider how pupil performance data can be used to identify strengths and areas for improvement at whole school, class and individual level.  To explore pupil underachievement, intervention and target setting to improve pupil outcomes.  Facilitators:

SDS Primary Team

Course Details:

This course will delivered on the 8th May 2025 and will be repeated on the 13th May 2025.  

The link for the webinar will be issued to you in advance of the date you have selected. 

Please ensure you have entered your email correctly to receive the training details.

Course Duration:

1 hour

DENI Number: 

During the registration process you will be asked for your setting’s Department of Education Reference Number - this must be input accurately. 

If you are not attached to a school, please input 9999.

 

Leading and Managing Numeracy - Locality East

This is a full day course. If you register for a particular date and find that you are unable to attend it is important to email the named contact so your place can be reallocated.   Aims:  To consider the role of the Mathematics and Numeracy Co-ordinator. To provide guidance on creating an action plan for improvement in Mathematics and Numeracy. To explore a range of strategies for monitoring and evaluating progress and impact. Facilitators:

SDS Primary Team

Course Details:

This full day course will be delivered in four separate cohorts.  Please select the cohort that best suits you in terms of venue and dates.  If your first choice of cohort is not available, please select another cohort.  If there are no remaining places, a waiting list will be created and you will be notified if a place becomes available.

Please ensure you have entered your email correctly to receive the training details.

Course Duration:

1 day - 09:15 - 15:00

DENI Number: 

During the registration process you will be asked for your setting’s Department of Education Reference Number - this must be input accurately. 

 

 

Building Synergy - Session 1: An Introduction to Community Use of Schools (CUOS)

These sessions are suitable for Principals and staff with remit for community links.

AIMS:

This two-session series offers schools an opportunity to explore how CUOS can impact children’s learning and school improvement.

After completion of the two sessions schools will be given access to an online portal of information, resources, case studies and a network of contacts to enable them to apply the learning from the sessions.

STRUCTURE/CONTENT:

This session will explore the nature of CUOS: Community Sharing, Curriculum Enrichment, Community Partnership & Community Planning.

The rationale for CUOS will be examined and illustrated from schools and their communities.

Participants will be provided with resources to inform and enthuse members of their school community on the worthwhileness of CUOS.

Date/Time/Venue:

Tuesday 18th November 2025

9.30am - 12.00pm

Venue: Boardroom, Dundonald HQ

 

Building Synergy - Session 2: How to Baseline, track and measure Impact for Community Use of Schools (CUOS)

These sessions are suitable for Principals and staff with remit for community links.

AIMS:

This two-session series offers schools an opportunity to explore how CUOS can impact children’s learning and school improvement.

After completion of the two sessions schools will be given access to an online portal of information, resources, case studies and a network of contacts to enable them to apply the learning from the sessions.

STRUCTURE/CONTENT:

This session will enable schools to baseline their level of CUOS and chart a pathway ahead to develop their progress.

Focus on how schools measure the impact of CUOS on their children, staff, parents/carers and the wider community.

Guidance provided on how to embed CUOS into a school development plan as a driver for school improvement. This will reference how CUOS relates to ETI’s proposed new inspection process.

Developing Middle Leaders

Aims To strengthen the leadership capacity of middle leaders. To explore the core roles and responsibilities of middle leadership. To highlight the benefits of effective middle leadership collaboration.

Module 1: Values & Vision

Resource Content

Guidance on the key role values play in leadership. Advice on managing your strategic and operational vision- balancing long-term goals with day-to-day responsibilities. Practical ways to collaborate to support a shared vision, delegated leadership, encourage innovation, and strengthen team dynamics. Self-Evaluation Leadership Audits

Model 2: Effective & Collaborative Action Planning

Resource Content

Self-evaluation checklists, baselining, target setting and leadership audits, Guidance on supporting the School Development Plan’s priorities. Effective action planning guidance. Connected and collaborative action plans resources.

Module 3: What effective middle leader looks like in action

Resource Content

Planning guides, and frameworks to support strategic thinking and daily operations to manage your roles and responsibilities. Advice on collaboration strategies, building strong teams, facilitating dialogue, being a good role model and leading through influence. Ways to recognise and celebrate success. Leadership reading list, using evidenced informed practice. Introductions to digital tools & AI technologies. Please note: The programme will be facilitated via a dedicated Microsoft Teams site. This site will hold resources to support middle leaders in 3 modules, enabling flexible engagement through a collective or individual approach.