Senior Leader Inspirations: Strategic leadership for school improvement

‘Leaders set the weather’ is a phrase commonly used to describe the impact leaders have on the climate, atmosphere and culture of a school. Strategic leaders also set the direction, establishing a clear vision for school improvement based on a deep understanding of the school’s context, people and future goals. This requires an accurate appraisal of where you are now, as well as where you want to go. It’s like planning a journey, mapping alternative routes and deciding the best one to take. And of course, you need to get everyone on the bus with you – the right people, in the right seats!

In this online briefing we will be joined by:

Liam McGillicuddy, Headteacher, Bishopshalt School. Liam will explore the strategic leadership of school improvement over a six-year period, including the challenges and opportunities of the pandemic, focusing on effective change management, prioritising and sequencing development through clear levers for change. Key themes include building a compelling vision, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring soft landings to secure buy-in. Delegates will consider how to sustain momentum through incremental gains—ensuring every day is better than the last—while demonstrating impact to maintain trust and drive collective efficacy. This case study school has improved from a Progress 8 score of 0 to over +1, evidencing transformational leadership in action.

Nick Robinson, Executive Principal, Trinity MAT. Nick will focus on the methods and systems used across Trinity MAT schools to ensure there is a culture that prioritises and celebrates continuous improvement at all levels. He will explore how data and analytic systems are used to identify areas for improvement, and are then in turn used to shape actions and measure their impact.