Read on Twitter
OK amongst other things:
1. Leading a curriculum area in your specific subject with supported forums for networking amongst local Heads of History (this is better in some parts of the country than others). Encouragement to access national networks e.g. via social media. https://twitter.com/jaydav20/status/1297117601282351105
1. Leading a curriculum area in your specific subject with supported forums for networking amongst local Heads of History (this is better in some parts of the country than others). Encouragement to access national networks e.g. via social media. https://twitter.com/jaydav20/status/1297117601282351105
2. Understanding of how data works and is calculated properly - both at the national level e.g. P8/A8, L3VA for A-level and at in-school level. An appreciation of what data can and can't do for you. Strengths and weaknesses of things like mock exams as a tool as an e.g.
3. Proper training on how the financial management system of the school works in terms of key knowledge you need as a curriculum leader - e.g. about capitation, budgets. This often seems quite layrinthine in schools especially if you're new.
4. Training on observing colleagues and giving feedback that's actually useful in improving teaching and learning. With an appreciation again of what 'single-lesson observations' can and can't tell you about someone's teaching. Same with work scrutiny type exercises.
5. Training on how to run an actual meeting and what department meetings should look like (with a particular focus on leading curricular discussions rather than doing admin or meaningless data exercises). Some senior leaders could do with this as well mind!!!
6. Training on managing non-teaching staff if appropriate to the role - which can be a minefield if you're a teacher doing this because I find non-teaching staff bring in a very different way of operating (not necessarily for the worse) that teachers aren't always used to.
7. Ongoing CPD around current debates in education and different perspectives both from edutwitter/blogosphere as well as from the academy.
8. More opportunities to see other schools and other middle leaders in action in their places of work as well as other types of establishment (e.g. PRUs, Special Schools) to give middle leaders (who are budding senior leaders) greater experience of education in the round.
That's a start - I'm sure there's more I can think of!
I think some of it might come down to schools having a clear vision for their Middle Leaders and their role in the school structure. I think some schools de-skill their MLs by doing lots of stuff to them and forgetting to continue their development after appointment.
