Idea for a model of school leadership

Our NPQH tutor talked with us about school leadership models. I was intrigued by an idea that she says is in place in a school somewhere in Bolton (but I can't find it anywhere on the internet).

The clearly defined roles of the leadership team relate to aspects of the private sector. 

For instance:

• Quality Assurance - This would relate to the quality of the teaching and learning. This person would take responsibility for ensuring that key standards are met and are consistent at all levels of a child's education.
• Product Design - In this case the product is the curriculum. This team member would have responsibility for the design of the curriculum, ensuring that it meets a design brief (decided by the children?). The product would need to be innovative, current and exciting in order to suit its target market.
• Communications and Marketing - This is all about communicating with key stakeholders and the community. Marketing may include a effective website and ensuring that parents are involved.

What other business terms could be used to define roles within a school management team?

The Stubborn Donkey

One of the themes that we discussed on our Effective Partnerships course was 'the stubborn donkey'. Here is the video:

The video has some key messages. 

• We realised that to help people move in the right direction we need to find the right motivation. There will always be some resistance to new ideas, but involving the team in planning and developing that idea will make people want to take part. 
• It is important to take a step back and consider a different approach if something is working.
• You need to constantly need to review progress - you can't wait until the end before realising that something is not working as you wanted.
• It is important to have fun and value your team!

It's amazing what you can learn from a stubborn donkey! But then I found this!

Partnerships in School

We considered all of the partnerships within and involving schools. It's amazing to note how many there are - and we have probably missed lots!

It makes you realise that the key thing that headteachers must get right in school is partnerships. Unless partnerships are strong, unless they are productive and unless they are valued, schools just can't work.

 

“Two worlds together are a lot stronger than one; because there is always another world that they can rely on.” Student's poem inspired by Connecting Classrooms, Nova Hreod College, Swindon (from here).

Key partnerships within the school are between pupils, teachers, parents and governors.