SSAT Middle Leadership programme
The engine room of school improvement
For current and aspiring middle leaders in SSAT member schools.
Start date
January 2025
Format
Online
Cost
Three free places for SSAT members. Additional places can be purchased at £545+VAT
Need more information?
Get in touch or call 020 7802 0955
Why join this programme?
The direct and significant impact of middle leaders on teaching and learning makes them key to school improvement. To be successful, middle leaders need to develop a broad range of knowledge, skills, and behaviours. This member-exclusive programme draws upon SSAT’s extensive experience and expertise in providing high quality middle leadership training that will empower and equip middle leaders from SSAT member schools to lead effectively. Participants will be part of SSAT’s national network of middle leaders, sharing practice and learning. In addition, participants will benefit from SSAT’s leading teams competency audit tools, supporting resources and reading.
Benefits
- Develop confidence and competence in key aspects of middle leadership.
- Engage in reflective practice and with research.
- Build high performing teams.
- Create a national network for middle leaders.
Who is the programme for?
For current and aspiring middle leaders in SSAT member schools. Suitable for primary, secondary and special schools.
This programme is a member-exclusive benefit
Not an SSAT member? Register your interest or call us on +44 207 802 0955.
SSAT does not issue certificates of completion for this programme.
Module information
Module 1: Vision, values and the moral purpose
This first module begins by reflecting on the importance of vision, values, and moral purpose.
Aims for the session:
- To consider what a ‘vision’ is and its importance for school leadership
- To reflect on the relationship between vision and values
- To reflect upon our own values and moral purpose
- To shape the vision for our team or area of responsibility
Module 2: Developing your leadership approach
This module looks at developing leadership approaches to improve effectiveness. It includes the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, as well as exploring leadership characteristics and styles.
Aims for the session:
- To become more self-aware as leaders, reflecting on leadership characteristics and behaviours
- To consider the importance of emotional intelligence and understand the impact of behaviour on team performance
- To explore the impact of different leadership styles and a situational leadership approach
- To understand how leadership contributes to organisational culture
Module 3: Leading and managing innovation and change
This module explores the complex issues involved in leading and managing change. It includes practical tools for change management as well as how to handle the emotional aspect of change.
Aims for the session:
- To reflect on the emotional, psychological, and practical aspects of change
- To consider the implications of leading in a period of constant change
- To develop understanding of the change management process and some models/frameworks that may enable us to lead change more effectively
- To reflect on the implementation process
Module 4: Quality assurance
This module considers the role of middle leaders in quality assuring provision and addressing needs.
Aims for the session:
- To consider middle leaders’ roles and responsibilities in quality assurance
- To reflect on a variety of quality assurance processes, including performance management
- To support middle leaders in holding themselves and others to account
- To consider approaches to managing difficult conversations
Module 5: Building a high performing team
This module looks at the key ingredients to building a high-performance team.
Aims for the session:
- To explore characteristics of high performing teams and dysfunctional teams
- To reflect on stages of team development
- To evaluate the effectiveness of teams you lead and considered how you can improve performance
- Be equipped to support a culture that builds strong teams and shares good practice
Format
Module 1: Vision, values and moral purpose
January 2025, Online, 15:45 – 17:15
Module 2: Developing your leadership approach
March 2025, Online, 15:45 – 17:15
Peer group webinar
April/May 2025
Module 3: Leading and managing innovation and change
June 2025, Online, 15:45 – 17:15
Module 4: Quality Assurance
September 2025, Online, 15:45 – 17:15
Peer group webinar
October/November 2025
Module 5: Building a high performing team
December 2025, Online, 15:45 – 17:15
membersBelong, Connect, Improve
The 2024/25 strands of membership include:
- Leadership
- Professional Practice
- Teaching and Learning
Any questions?
Contact us or call 020 7802 0955.
Get in touch
