National Leadership Pathway Programmes

As part of the professional learning continuum participants will through this programme: 

• develop understanding of the role

• further develop their understanding of the national reform agenda

• develop their practice within the formal leadership standards

The programme consists of 5 Modules over the year.  These are delivered using a blend of virtual and face-to-face sessions.

The topics covered in the programme include:

▪ Understanding the strategic and operational roles of post-16 leadership

▪ Effective self-evaluation and planning for improvement

▪ Planning intervention and well-being for learners

▪ Building external partnerships for effective practice and provision

▪ Providing high quality and inclusive advice and guidance to support learner transition, aspiration and destinations.

Delivery of the programme is through a blended learning approach and delivered by post-16 specialist regional colleagues and current experienced post-16 leaders.

As part of the professional learning continuum participants will through this programme: 

• • Further develop their understanding of the role of senior leader

  • Develop the knowledge and skills an effective senior leader should know and be able to adopt

  • Have opportunity to develop the leadership behaviours required for an effective senior leader.

  • Further develop their understanding of the national reform agenda

  • Develop their practice within the formal leadership standards

Applications for this programme are open. The next cohort will commence in December 2023.

In order to apply to take part in the programme the individual should:

• • Undertake a Leadership Standards Self-Review (LSSR)

  • Discuss their suitability with their headteacher or line manager as appropriate

  • Complete application form by the notified closing date using the application link.

On 16th May 2023, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language issued a Written Statement:  announcing the publication of Professor Mick Waters’ report of his review of the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH).

The review concluded that significant revision of both the content and structure of the Aspiring Headteacher Development Programme (ADHP) and NPQH assessment is needed. The Welsh Government has, therefore, decided that the candidates on the Aspiring Heads Programme that started in January 2023 will be the last to go through the programme in its current format.

Welsh Government will now be working in collaboration with key stakeholders to develop the new NPQH arrangements and aim to have a new programme open to candidates from Autumn 2024. In the interim, an NPQH assessment will be offered in February 2024 and a further one in May 2024 for current participants, and for candidates who have ‘not yet met’ or deferred over the past 4 years.

The programme is structured in three phases:

• • Phase 1: pre-programme work including a formal handover and an individual ‘self analysis’ against the Formal Leadership Standards.

  • Phase 2: Year 1 of headship. This will consist of a five-day development programme focusing on gaining the local information they need, and the knowledge and skills required to develop their school as a learning organisation.

  • Phase 3: Year 2 of headship. This is one day where participants will share with colleagues a particular aspect of school improvement they have undertaken and also how they are building capacity within their schools.

Registration is through a national application process which requires the endorsement of the individual’s Chair of Governors.

Participants will:

• • Reflect on their own leadership style and how their leadership impacts on others

  • Reflect on a range of leadership styles

  • Understand the theory of change and how this effects their leadership on the transformational reform journey

  • Collaborate with others to lead their schools effectively and to impact positively on leadership across Wales

  • Embed a culture and practice of appropriate innovation across and beyond their school

Applications for this programme closed on 3rd March 2023. Further application rounds will be notified here.

Regional Networks

Regional Leadership Programmes

The Bastow Talent Management Framework (TMF) is a dynamic approach to identify, develop and support individuals with high potential for leadership. The video below explains more about the approach below. 

The Agile School Leadership program is a three session, online course about leadership development for educators. Through live webinars, online modules, downloadable templates, readings and videos, participants build their improvement capability so that they can create sustainable impact in their schools and own unique context. More information about the programme is available below. 

Are you interested in taking part in the next round? Register your interest here:  

In these LA grouped sessions, headteachers will learn from fellow school leaders the day-to-day and strategic activities they undertake to ensure they know their school and have clear processes to ensure effective self-evaluation and development planning. Sessions are phase specific. Click on the link for your LA’s dates, times and meeting links. 

You can watch the session(s) for your Local Authority (after it has taken place) in the EAS Headteacher Network

Know Your School Well Sessions - Spring 2023