The Hertfordshire & Essex High School

The Hertfordshire & Essex High School

“Excellence for All”

'Growing your own and nurturing the leaders of tomorrow'

Monday 2nd November 2009


ABOUT US…•All Girls Comprehensive (Boys in the Sixth Form)

•In a consortium of six schools

•Suburban School

•Engaged (and demanding!) parents

•Outstanding in every major OFSTED category (Feb 09)

•Several 1 schools in the area

•Highly competitive environment


Difficulty in recruiting middle leaders (particularly pastoral roles)

Cultivating our best potential leadersSome shortage subjects e.g. English, PhysicsLack of individual formal coachingThreshold + UPS 2/3 applicants

(struggling to get relevant experiences)

The Problem…?


The Opportunity…

Staff Students Governors


The Staff Solution…


Herts & Essex Characteristics of School Leadership

a. Headteacher b. Deputy Headteacher

c. Assistant Headteacher

d. Senior Middle Leader, e.g. DoL/DoSP

e. Middle Leader, e.g. SL, ADoL

Characteristic Definition Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

1. Analytical rigour

The ability to think logically, break things down and

recognise cause and effect

Breaks down problems

e

Recognises cause and effect

d, c

Analyses variables b

Undertakes analysis of very complex whole-school problems

a

2. Challenge and support

A commitment to do everything possible for each

student and to enable all students to be successful

Cares for students(all staff)

Works positively for students

e

Committed to the best possible provision and

student outcomesd, c

Consistently challenges others in the student’s best interests

b, a

3. Community engagement

Engaging with the aspirations and needs of groups in varied circumstances,

understanding their position while persuasively

communicating their vision for the school

Sensitive to individuals’

aspirations and responses

e

Sensitive to group needs and dynamics

d

Communicates and connects

school vision to that of others

c, b

Reconciles diverse and conflicting agendas

a

4. Conceptual thinking

The ability to see patterns and links, even where there

is a lot of detail

Uses common sense

(all staff)

Sees patterns and linkse, d

Uses conceptsc

Makes the complex simple

b, a


Leadership Development ReviewDeclaration of Interest

Candidate asks 3 people to fill in suitable evaluation

Candidate fills in evaluation

Mentor Moderates Responses

Mentor produces Report

Report is sent to candidate

Candidate attends interview where LDRR is completed

Candidate undertakes LDRR tasks throughout the next year…

FINAL REVIEW


Leadership Development Review – Evaluation of Leadership Characteristics (Middle Leader)

Name of participant: Current Role: Date of Evaluation:

Name of person evaluating (optional): Link with participant (optional):

Herts & Essex Characteristics of School Leadership (impacting on whole school performance)

*Please complete the Comments section by noting whether the participant is Working Towards (WT), Working At (WA) or Working Beyond (WB) the level, and provide an example(s) to support your evaluation.

Characteristic Definition Level Comments


The ability to think logically, break things down and recognise cause and effect

Level 1 Breaks down problems


A commitment to do everything possible for each student and to enable all

students to be successful

Level 2Expresses positive expectations


Engaging with the aspirations and needs of groups in varied circumstances, understanding their position while

persuasively communicating their vision for the school

Level 1Sensitive to individuals’ aspirations and responses


The ability to see patterns and links, even where there is a lot of detail

Level 1Uses common sense

5. Confidence The belief in one’s ability to be effective and to take on challenges

Level 1Shows confidence


Leadership Development Review Record

Name: Current Role:

SLT Mentor: Date of Meeting:

Strengths in current role:

Areas for development in current role:

Desired next move:

Timing:

Development needs:

How needs will be met:

Risks/strategies to manage risks:

Long-term aspirations:

Mentoring and support: (e.g. frequency of ongoing meetings)


Development of Leadership Characteristics

CharacteristicDefinition of

characteristic

Examples of Leadership development opportunities through the Herts & Essex in-house

programme

Review (dated)


The ability to think logically, break things down and


•Analyse TMG/TMLs against results for group of students/area of the curriculum




•Mentor a student(s)


Engaging with the aspirations and needs of

groups in varied circumstances,



•Shadow a SL/DoL in another school for half a day•Attend a PTA meeting•Attend a consortium meeting



is a lot of detail

Mentor: ………………………………...…. Participant: ………………………………………


LDR Typical Tasks


RESEARCH

HertsCam (Teacher-led development work, in conjunction with the University of Cambridge)


What is the purpose of a TLDW group?

To support group members in their attempt to improve teaching and learning

Mutual support and collaboration through sharing & discussing development projects

Knowledge about learning & leadership and guidance on strategies for development work


Support from Cambridge

Joint leadership of TLDW group

Fresh input / ideas / perspectives

Guidance on leading innovation

Guidance on enquiry techniques

Facilitating discussion

Certification by portfolio of evidence

Progression to masters option

Access to world class library

Links to networks


Internal support

Joint leadership of TLDW group

Facilitation / organisation

Facilitating opportunities for influence

Mentoring / coaching

Essential participation

over the year

1 twilight registration event in Cambridge

3 evening network events in Stevenage

5-6 school-based twilight sessions


Preparing for High Impact Middle Leadership

Two Strands:

HertsCam Programme - TLDW

Leadership Development Opportunities


Development of Leadership Characteristics – Personalised Programme

Characteristic Definition of characteristic

Examples of Leadership development opportunities

through the HertsCam programme

Examples of Leadership development opportunities

through the Herts & Essex in-house programme

1. Analytical rigour The ability to think logically, break things down and


Focused research and subsequent analysis of findings

Analysis of TMG/TMLs against results for group of students/area of the curriculum




Mentor a student(s)


Engaging with the aspirations and needs of

groups in varied circumstances,



Shadow a SL/DoL in another school for half a day

Attend a PTA meeting

Attend a consortium meeting



is a lot of detail

Evaluation of project and drawing up of findings.


The Result…• Well staffed in 2009 (with all middle leader roles filled)• One Middle Leader appointed in-house• SLT opportunities offered and taken (unpaid!) (Creativity in the classroom, Centenary, Lead research )• All Threshold Candidates successful• Coaching now rife in school• Leadership routines have 22 participants this year (several on 2nd year)• Several participants secured promotion last year (one from SL to an SLT post)• Increased expertise and capacity


ALSO…


What’s next?• Preparing for School/Senior Leadership Course (PFSL)• Increased emphasis on in-house training (great for Rarely Cover!)• Increased mapping of skills• Primary Networking• Consortium Networking• More mentors

SYSTEM WIDE IMPACT

Students Governors


Questions?

Documents

The Hertfordshire & Essex High School