Investing in Leaders is an evidence-informed, professionally led programme for leaders of all levels in schools.
At Education Durham we recognise that every school is different. Within schools, every staff member is a leader of learning but each has different development needs. Investing in leaders is designed with this in mind.
Our programme lets you tailor support to match an individual’s needs, right here, right now, so that what they do will make an immediate planned difference. It is powerful, personalised and cost-effective support like no other school leadership improvement available anywhere, with measurable impact guaranteed.
“I genuinely think your idea is very good. There is nothing around that brings the key personnel together back in school the way this does and it’s that which has real potential to bring about lasting change and which can integrate more fully CPD into the school development plan.” A Durham Head Teacher, September 2021.
The professional learning journey
- One facilitated group session per component delivered live
- Access to one to one coaching with a professional advisor
Participants will also be able to access ongoing email support with a professional learning advisor.
Step one: Enrolment
Using our Leadership Audit Tool, the head teacher/senior selects which leader(s) they wish to enrol on the programme, identifying 3+ components for them to focus on.
The cost of enrolment (per person) is:
- £440 (three components)
- £550 (four components)
- £80 per additional component thereafter
Step two: Professional Learning
Participants will attend one facilitated group session per component. Each component will involve:
- A live, fully facilitated group session to introduce the theme and share research, theory, examples of good practice and guidance.
- Follow-up self-study activities to continue the learning in school as continued professional development and practical application.
Every participant can arrange, in addition, a one to one coaching session with an advisor. These are typically used to discuss particular CPD needs, to share progress or to discuss challenges and next steps.
Step 3: Impact and Evaluation
Impact is an important aspect of any professional learning programme. After the participants have completed their components, there will be an optional 1 hour evaluation session involving the head teacher (or other senior leader/ governor), and the professional learning advisor.
This will be an occasion where progress is shared and celebrated and next steps are discussed to support colleagues on their professional learning journeys.
Component summaries
Understanding your leadership priorities and sharing a compelling vision
Develop your understanding of your roles and responsibilities, write a compelling vision and increase confidence in articulating this to others.
Setting clear goals and objectives for yourself and others
Identify a complete list of goals and objectives relevant to your role. Prioritise these according to need and learn how to get buy-in from the wider team.
Knowing and articulating your curriculum
Learn how best to articulate the design and sequencing of your curriculum and explore how to provide evidence of its implementation by effective monitoring for impact.
Identifying and following a line of enquiry to drive improvement
Identify a performance-related challenge linked to your role in school and develop the skills to resolve it using a tried and tested action-research approach.
Leading the team through the process of change
By applying evidence-based research, leading to a better understanding of change, you will be able to influence positively a specific change in your own area of responsibility.
Developing a deeper understanding of the value of communicating as a leader
Increase stakeholder cooperation and participation through understanding how you communicate now and leveraging improvements.
Becoming a more resilient leader
Improve your ability to meet setbacks and overcome them. Learn more about how to bounce back from problems so that you inspire confidence in others.
Monitoring and evaluating teacher performance accurately and effectively; being prepared to hold other people to account
Make best use of evaluation processes to monitor effectively and use this as a basis to support and challenge others professionally.
Developing your self-awareness, critical thinking and emotional intelligence
Conscious attention and practice evolves success-enabling behaviours and habits. Being clearer about how you see yourself and how others see you will make you a better leader.
Improving your management of challenging people
Gain confidence for the next time you need to have a challenging conversation by developing your skills and strategies to manage dysfunctional behaviour.
Building relationships and growing teams that have positive mental health
Develop your situational awareness; use key agreements and acknowledgment to promote consistency so that the wellbeing of your team improves.
Using coaching skills effectively to challenge and overcome underperformance
Make effective use of essential coaching competencies so that you build lasting capacity in your team and support those who find it difficult to perform.
Enrolment
Enrolment is open now. Please email DLC@durham.gov.uk to request our Leadership Audit Tool and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss dates and timescales.