Training & Events

Leading School Improvement (After School) Locality East

Aims

The aim of this programme is to build capacity of senior and aspiring senior leaders to make a positive difference to learners in their school. The programme will seek to develop participants' knowledge and understanding in relation to the structures, systems and processes that lead to school improvement. It provides participants with an opportunity to develop their leadership attitudes, behaviours and skills which empower them to build effective teams and lead impactful change in the context of their organisation. As the programme is offered through the area learning community network, it also strengthens connections and collaboration between schools, which sustain ongoing improvement beyond the duration of the programme.

The programme consists of eight face-to-face sessions with an emphasis on high quality professional dialogue and learning in context. Sessions explore the following topics:

Planning for improvement Developing a vision for improvement Improving Self Improving Others Improving learning Improving teaching Securing accountability for improvement

An online information session for aspiring participants and their principals will be scheduled for September 2025, which will provide further details on the content of the programme. Each participant will also receive 1:1 mentoring from a member of the School Improvement Team to support them in their school improvement work throughout the first year.

Please Note: This course is for schools within Locality East only and will take place one Wednesday per month after school (Oct - June)  and can be accessed through the school's SIPP.

The Engine Room - Building the Capacity of Middle Leadership

Aims

The aim of this programme is 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.

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. The MS Teams site will be available in August 2025 and schools will be notified of how to access the site when it is available. 

Addressing Bullying in Schools Leadership Training Programme 2025-26

Please note this year the programme will be running in Term 2 (January - April 2026) bookings will open in September 2025.

Course Title

Leadership Training Programme: Addressing Bullying in Schools

Overview

This comprehensive professional development programme is designed for Pastoral Leads, Social, Behavioural and Emotional Wellbeing (SBEW) leads, Safeguarding Leads and SENCOs/Learning Support Coordinators. It equips school leaders with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to implement a whole-school, evidence-based approach to prevent and address bullying-type behaviour.

Programme Aim

To ensure every pupil in the region attends a school where staff are trained to deliver a supportive and effective Addressing Bullying in Schools policy and practice.

Programme Purpose

To empower school leaders to:

Align with statutory requirements and embed best practice. Implement a whole-school approach grounded in research and evidence. Connect legislation, baseline assessment, systems and processes, preventative strategies, effective responses, stakeholder engagement, communication, and policy development.

Programme Structure
1. Launch Workshop (Face-to-Face). All participants must attend one of the following full-day sessions:

Option 1: Wednesday 7 January | 9:00am – 3:30pm | Antrim Board Centre
Option 2: Thursday 8 January | 9:00am – 3:30pm | Antrim Board Centre

To register for the course, please select your preferred session.

Modules Covered:

Module 1: Context, Legislation & Baseline
Module 2: Systems & Processes

Booking Notes: Please select your preferred date when booking. Places are limited to 100 participants per day. A maximum of 2 participants per school may attend. Schools will be notified if additional spaces become available. 2. Online Follow-Up Sessions

Participants will attend five online modules, choosing either a morning or afternoon session for each. Links will be sent in advance.

 

Date Module Option 1 (AM) Option 2 (PM) Tue 20 Jan Module 3: The Preventative Curriculum 9:30am – 11:00am 3:00pm – 4:30pm Wed 4 Feb Module 4: Effective Responses 9:30am – 11:00am 3:00pm – 4:30pm Thu 19 Feb Module 5: Communication 9:30am – 11:00am 3:00pm – 4:30pm Tue 3 Mar Module 6: Effective Partnerships 9:30am – 11:00am 3:00pm – 4:30pm Wed 25 Mar Module 7: Policy into Practice 9:30am – 11:00am 3:00pm – 4:30pm

Recommendation: Where possible, staff from the same school should attend the same sessions to support collaborative implementation.

3. Independent Learning & Application Access to online resources materials via the SDS learning platform. Completion of tasks aligned with reviewing and updating school policy and practice.