EMERGING LEADERS UPDATE

24/02/2009
Issue 001
February 2009

 

Welcome to the first e-edition of Emerging Leaders Update. You received this because you've signed up to ASCL's Emerging Leaders Network. If you'd rather not be on the mailing list, please email info@ascl.org.uk with 'unsubscribe ELU' in the subject line.

We've tried to make the newsletter a mix of news, resources you might find helpful and an update on network activity. If there is anything that crosses you path which you think colleagues would like to know about, please send it to me at sara.gadzik@ascl.org.uk and it will go in the next newsletter. The newsletter will come out twice a term, so look out for the next one in early April. We'll put back issues on the website at www.ascl.org.uk/emergingleaders so you can refer to them again if you need to.

Activity for the network is starting to pick up pace, with a number of courses on offer this spring specifically for emerging leaders - see below. We also are aiming to have a forum live on the website just for network members by the beginning of next term. Details to follow in April!

Sara Gadzik
ASCL Communications Director

 

NEWS

Threshold deadline
The deadline for threshold assessment applications is changing from 31 August to 31 October in order to align it with the deadline for performance management (PM) reviews. (Performance management reviews do not have to be completed until 31 October but threshold applications currently have to be submitted by 31 August.) This will allow teachers who apply on or after 1 September 2009 to use the outcomes of their M6 PM review as evidence in their application.

National Standards for School Leadership
NCSL is in the process of consulting on new National Standards for School Leadership, to replace the Standards for Headteachers. These standards will apply to all senior school leaders so it is important that NCSL hears views from all levels in school, including middle leaders. You can access the online consultation at www.ncsl.org.uk The closing date is 3 March.

A new Code of Conduct and Practice for Teachers
You might have heard that the GTC(E) is consulting on a new Code of Conduct for teachers in England. The new code takes account of the much closer work with other professionals, including health professionals and social workers and reflects the latest evidence about good teaching practice. The consultation closes 27 February so there are still a few days for you to give feedback at www.opm.co.uk/gtc, where you can also see the proposed code.

 

RESOURCES

Get recognition for improving your practice
If your school hasn't yet signed up to the Teacher Learning Academy (TLA), you may want to check out www.teacherlearningacademy.org.uk The TLA accredits work that you do, in the classroom and with your colleagues, trying out new ideas or approaches and improving your own practice.

The way it works: you select a project you're interested in - could be pupil behaviour, self-assessment or using alternative media - try out a new approach in school and write up the results in a presentation to the TLA. If your project meets the criteria you'll receive formal recognition, which you can use on your CV or in your annual performance review. The assumption is that you access advice and feedback from colleagues, probably in your school, and you will be given time to work on the project, perhaps during directed time. The advantage to schools, of course, is a better trained, more motivated workforce.

Enrolling with the TLA is free at the moment, but there is likely to be a charge introduced in autumn 2009 so if you're thinking of doing it, now is the time. Go to www.teacherlearningacademy.org.uk

Preparing for interview
Those of you applying for jobs this spring may be interested to read 'Moving Up', an article that appeared in an earlier version of ASCL's Leader magazine. It contains tips for writing a good covering letter and application form. See www.leadermagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=297

Bring staff around to your way of thinking
Don't be put off by the whole-school leadership focus in The Little Book of Managing Change from the Training and Development Agency (TDA). It has good ideas for introducing change with small teams and individuals as well as across a whole school. The second half especially, covering the five steps to managing change, includes useful tools and ideas for building teams and getting reluctant staff on board. For instance, the activity analysis contains a matrix which helps staff to determine which jobs they do are effective uses of their time and which are not. Download a copy of the book at www.tda.gov.uk

 

NETWORK ACTIVITY

Aspiring to the Leadership Team
It was great to see so many of you at the Aspiring to the Leadership Team course on 16 January. We had very positive feedback so will definitely run the course again in the next academic year.

Keep in Touch: Information Conferences for Middle Leaders
ASCL is offering these one-day information sessions to help you stay up to date on the big issues for secondary schools next academic year. They follow the same format as ASCL's popular autumn information conferences for senior leaders, but tailored specifically to middle leaders. Sessions include:
·  planned changes in the curriculum and case studies of innovative curriculum practices
·  the latest performance management and pay issues
·  changes to the inspection process for September 2009
There's also time for networking with colleagues.

The cost is £150+VAT but if you're a member of the Emerging Leaders Network you'll get a £20 discount. The dates are Tuesday 21 April in London; Monday 22 June in Birmingham; and Thursday 25 June in Wakefield. Click here for more information.

ASCL offers a range of other courses that are relevant to emerging leaders, ranging from current legal issues to managing challenging personnel. See the full calendar of events at
www.ascl.org.uk/calendar

 

Annual conference

Another excellent professional development opportunity is ASCL’s annual conference in Birmingham on 13-15 March. Come along as a day delegate, on either Friday or Saturday, and take your pick of a wide range of seminars including online reporting, community cohesion, leadership myths and using self-evaluation to raise achievement. Members of the Emerging Leaders Network are eligible for the members’ day delegate rate of £120. Go to www.ascl.org.uk/annualconference for details.

 

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