There is a small amount of pre-programme reading on the roles of middle leadership, to be undertaken ahead of the launch webinar. This will be issued near the start of the new session as part of the programme welcome pack.

The aims of the programme

• Self-awareness - develop awareness of individual areas of strength and how this can inform improvements to leadership.
• Diversity - build an understanding of identity, privilege and power.
• Leadership of change - develop knowledge, understanding and confidence in the use of different models to lead change.
• Coaching as a model of practice - enhance awareness and knowledge of coaching approaches and confidence in practising them.

Each topic is available as a discrete professional learning activity. These will be signposted in the MLLC programme area. This will allow participants to dip in and out of different area of study to best suit their needs during the course of the programme.

Module 1

• Self-awareness
  • start to consider and identify own social identities and reflect on the various ways those identities become visible or more keenly felt at different times
• Diversity
  • start to consider and identify own social identities and reflect on the various ways those identities become visible or more keenly felt at different times
  • start to consider different aspects of diversity and anti-racism
• Leadership of change 
  • start to consider own area of change and how this links to own strengths and areas for development
• Coaching as a model of practice
  • further develop knowledge of coaching and practise listening and questioning with a partner
  • identify a co-coach to work with over the coming year

Module 2

• Self-awareness
  • use self-evaluation to identify your next steps
  • explore aspects of emotional intelligence and identified how this can impact on leadership of change
• Coaching as a model of practice
  • continue to develop your knowledge and confidence in coaching
  • explore different strategies and approaches that can be used in a variety of conversations
• Diversity
  • define and identify white fragility and practised overcoming this
  • develop awareness of common patterns and behaviours of white fragility
  • develop an understanding and awareness of implicit bias
• Leadership of change
  • explore types of data and how you are using data to support your leadership of change
  • engage in activities to develop your team’s confidence and knowledge in engaging with data
  • engage in learning around the use of Logic Models to support the planning of leadership of change

Module 3

• Self-awareness
  • use self-evaluation to identify the next steps in your middle leadership journey
  • consider your levels of cultural awareness and intelligence
• Leadership of change
  • reflect on progress in your area of change
  • consider how to engage all stakeholders in the change process
  • reflect on your learning about the leadership of change
• Coaching as a model of practice
  • continue to develop your knowledge of coaching and reflect on your own skills to plan your next steps in coaching

The programme is a developmental programme which supports participants to enhance their confidence and skills in self-awareness, diversity, leadership of change and coaching as a model of practice through engaging in online learning modules, inter-sessional tasks and facilitated, online touchpoint sessions. Optional, additional learning is signposted throughout the programme, making it a flexible learning offer.

Participant experiences

Hear about the benefits of the MLLC programme from two recent participants.

George

Steven

The programme is for current middle leaders and those who have a whole school responsibility or area of focus but may not currently hold a formal leadership position.

Pre-programme learning: August and Sept 2023

Participants will complete a pre-programme online professional learning activity, based on “Imperfect Leadership” by Steve Munby.

Launch webinars: October 2023  

Each of our online sessions has four optional dates and they run from 4-530pm. This has proven to be the most suitable for participants. At the launch date there is the chance to hear more about the year ahead / meet the Lead Specialists and network with other middle leaders across Scotland.

Touchpoint sessions: December 2023 and March 2024

Participants are required to attend two 1.5 hour facilitated, online sessions to support their engagement in the learning. Once again there are a choice of dates.

Sharing the learning sessions: May 2024

A choice of four sessions to share what we have learned on the programme / make final network connections / talk to possible change initiatives we have undertaken / are planning.

As with any professional learning, time commitment may vary according to individual circumstances. There is no assessed element to this programme and it is not accredited as it is designed to be developmental in nature. Participants are able to apply individually for Professional Recognition through the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS), however, this would be an individual choice. Participants will receive a digital certificate of completion.

The programme is delivered via online modules with facilitated, online launch, touchpoint and sharing the learning sessions supporting participants' engagement in the programme. Participants are also encouraged to connect with colleagues through a dedicated Teams space.

As the Professional Learning and Leadership Team is currently funded to develop a suite of programmes, participation in the programme is free of charge. As part of our commitment to the continuous improvement of Scottish Government funded courses, we rely on your completed programme evaluation. Therefore, completion certificates are provided to participants once completed evaluation forms have been received.

Online

 Contact us for further information about this programme or for an informal discussion with a Lead Specialist.