SSAT Middle Leadership programme
The engine room of school improvement
A year-long programme providing current and aspiring middle leaders across all SSAT member schools with a range of opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours of effective middle leadership.
Headteachers of member schools will have received an email with a booking to enrol participants to this programme. If you have not received your email, contact us at leadership@ssatuk.co.uk.
Start date
Thursday 30 January 2025
15:45 - 17:15
Format
Online
Cost
Three free places for SSAT members. Additional places can be purchased at £545+VAT
Need more information?
Get in touch or call 020 7802 2300
Why join this programme?
The direct and significant impact of middle leaders on teaching and learning makes them key to school improvement. To be successful, middle leaders need to develop a broad range of knowledge, skills, and behaviours. This member-exclusive programme draws upon SSAT’s extensive experience and expertise in providing high quality middle leadership training that will empower and equip middle leaders from SSAT member schools to lead effectively.
Along with termly online seminars, which enable participants to build confidence and competence in key aspects of middle leadership, the 2024-25 Middle Leadership programme includes 3 peer discussion groups which provide participants with the opportunity to meet with colleagues in online group-directed study, reflection and discussion of key learning at three points during the programme. Through both cohort and group activity, participants will have the opportunity to collaborate and work with like-minded colleagues, being part of SSAT’s national network of middle leaders, sharing practice and learning.
The year long programme provides current or aspiring middle leaders the opportunity to undertake a school improvement project, where they can apply key learning from the programme in their own school setting. Participants will identify, plan and implement change in an aspect of their role. Through independent and group reflection, participants will analyse and evaluate the impact of their work through the writing of a case study which is submitted at the end of the programme.
Accreditation is awarded for participants who successfully complete the programme and submit a school improvement case study.
Benefits
- Develop confidence and competence in key aspects of middle leadership.
- Engage in reflective practice and with research.
- Actively collaborate within a national network for middle leaders.
- Apply learning from programme to an aspect of school improvement within own school setting.
Who is the programme for?
For current and aspiring middle leaders in SSAT member schools. Suitable for primary, secondary and special schools.
This programme is a member-exclusive benefit
Not an SSAT member? Register your interest or call us on +44 207 802 2300.
SSAT does not issue certificates of completion for this programme.
Module information
Module 1: Vision, values and the moral purpose
This first module begins by reflecting on the importance of vision, values, and moral purpose.
Aims for the session:
- To consider what a ‘vision’ is and its importance for school leadership
- To reflect on the relationship between vision and values
- To reflect upon our own values and moral purpose
- To shape the vision for our team or area of responsibility
Module 2: Developing your leadership approach
This module looks at developing leadership approaches to improve effectiveness. It includes the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, as well as exploring leadership characteristics and styles.
Aims for the session:
- To become more self-aware as leaders, reflecting on leadership characteristics and behaviours
- To consider the importance of emotional intelligence and understand the impact of behaviour on team performance
- To explore the impact of different leadership styles and a situational leadership approach
- To understand how leadership contributes to organisational culture
Module 3: Leading and managing innovation and change
This module explores the complex issues involved in leading and managing change. It includes practical tools for change management as well as how to handle the emotional aspect of change.
Aims for the session:
- To reflect on the emotional, psychological, and practical aspects of change
- To consider the implications of leading in a period of constant change
- To develop understanding of the change management process and some models/frameworks that may enable us to lead change more effectively
- To reflect on the implementation process
Module 4: Quality assurance
This module considers the role of middle leaders in quality assuring provision and addressing needs.
Aims for the session:
- To consider middle leaders’ roles and responsibilities in quality assurance
- To reflect on a variety of quality assurance processes, including performance management
- To support middle leaders in holding themselves and others to account
- To consider approaches to managing difficult conversations
Module 5: Building a high performing team
This module looks at the key ingredients to building a high-performance team.
Aims for the session:
- To explore characteristics of high performing teams and dysfunctional teams
- To reflect on stages of team development
- To evaluate the effectiveness of teams you lead and considered how you can improve performance
- Be equipped to support a culture that builds strong teams and shares good practice
Format
Module 1: Vision, values and moral purpose
Thursday 30 January 2025, Online, 15:45 – 17:15
Module 2: Developing your leadership approach
Thursday 20 March 2025, Online, 15:45 – 17:15
Peer Discussion Group: Online group-directed study using set tasks, providing participants with the opportunity to reflect and discuss key learning from modules 1 and 2.
21 March – 4 April
Module 3: Leading and managing innovation and change
Thursday 8 May 2025, Online, 15:45 – 17:15
Module 4: Quality Assurance
Thursday 26 June 2025, Online, 15:45 – 17:15
Peer Discussion Group: Online group-directed study using set tasks, providing participants with the opportunity to reflect and discuss key learning from modules 3 and 4.
27 June – 11 July
Module 5: Building a high performing team
Thursday 18 September 2025, Online, 15:45 – 17:15
Peer Discussion Group: Collaborative opportunity for participants to share and discuss School Improvement Projects to provide individuals with feedback to strengthen and support final submission of case studies.
6 October – 17 October
School improvement project submission deadline: Monday 17 November 2025
membersBelong, Connect, Improve
The 2024/25 strands of membership include:
- Leadership
- Professional Practice
- Teaching and Learning
Any questions?
Contact us or call 020 7802 0955.
Get in touch
