Senior Leaders Programme: Leading with Purpose
Three face-to-face events and six online modules — develop the expertise to lead improvement across your school.
Our Senior Leaders Programme is built around the latest global evidence for effective senior leadership in schools. Across three immersive face-to-face events and six online modules, you’ll develop the expertise to lead improvement beyond the classroom — shaping vision and strategy, building staff capacity, improving teaching quality, strengthening culture, managing resources and leading in partnership with parents and communities.
Programme structure
- 3 Face-to-Face Events (6 days total): Each event introduces two modules through interactive workshops, case studies and expert input.
- 6 Modules: After each event, complete ~20 hours of online learning per module to deepen understanding and apply it to your context.
Module 1: Leading with Vision and Strategy
Face-to-face day
Explore how senior leaders develop a compelling vision and align strategy with school priorities. Examine research behind vision-driven leadership and learn to translate values into measurable outcomes. Through case studies and peer discussion, build skills in setting direction, communicating purpose and leading improvement planning.
Online module
- Conduct a vision and mission audit of your school.
- Map strategic priorities to pupil outcomes and improvement goals.
- Analyse international case studies where clear vision improved culture and attainment.
- Draft a strategy statement that communicates your leadership vision to staff and stakeholders.
Key questions
- What makes a vision compelling and actionable?
- How can strategy be aligned to measurable outcomes?
- How do you communicate vision so it inspires and unites your team?
How this transforms practice
Grounding leadership in vision and strategy creates clarity and shared purpose. Evidence-based strategy keeps improvement coherent, sustained and focused on learning.
Module 2: Developing People and Building Capacity
Face-to-face day
Focus on building capacity by developing others. Engage with research on instructional leadership and staff motivation. Practical activity includes coaching, mentoring and designing CPD that drives classroom improvement.
Online module
- Review current staff development systems.
- Design a CPD model combining evidence-based training with classroom coaching.
- Plan for succession and distributed leadership.
- Reflect on your leadership style and its impact on staff development.
Key questions
- How can senior leaders create a culture of professional growth?
- What role do coaching and mentoring play in capacity-building?
- How can succession planning secure sustainable improvement?
How this transforms practice
Effective leaders multiply impact by developing others. Building staff expertise and confidence creates a workforce capable of leading continuous improvement.
Module 3: Teaching and Curriculum Excellence
Face-to-face day
Ensure teaching quality and curriculum coherence. Explore curriculum planning, pedagogy and assessment through an evidence-based lens, and consider how to monitor classroom practice without unnecessary workload.
Online module
- Conduct a curriculum sequencing review for one subject.
- Analyse how assessment data informs teaching and learning.
- Explore research such as Rosenshine’s Principles and the EEF Toolkit.
- Develop an action plan to improve teaching quality across a phase or department.
Key questions
- How can leaders ensure a curriculum is coherent and ambitious?
- What evidence-informed practices most improve teaching quality?
- How do you balance accountability with support in monitoring teaching?
How this transforms practice
Prioritising curriculum and pedagogy enables consistent, high-quality learning. Pupils experience well-sequenced teaching that maximises progress.
Module 4: Leading Behaviour and Culture
Face-to-face day
Set high expectations, design effective behaviour systems and promote equity and inclusion. Explore the evidence behind behaviour interventions and embed approaches that enhance wellbeing and belonging.
Online module
- Review behaviour and culture strategy.
- Analyse case studies of schools transforming culture with evidence-based policies.
- Explore restorative approaches alongside traditional systems.
- Design a culture development plan integrating expectations, rewards and wellbeing.
Key questions
- How can leaders set and sustain high expectations across the school?
- What are the most effective evidence-based approaches to behaviour?
- How do you balance discipline, inclusion and wellbeing?
How this transforms practice
A positive culture reduces disruption and creates conditions for learning. Clear expectations and inclusive practices help pupils and staff thrive.
Module 5: Organisational Management and Resources
Face-to-face day
Manage resources, time and staff effectively. Make strategic decisions about budgets, timetabling and staffing, and use data intelligently to support accountability and improvement.
Online module
- Review budget allocation and identify priority improvements.
- Analyse research on effective resource management.
- Explore case studies of data-informed decision-making.
- Develop a resource plan aligning staff, time and funding with strategic goals.
Key questions
- How do leaders ensure resources support learning effectively?
- What systems enable transparent, efficient management?
- How can data inform sustainable improvement?
How this transforms practice
Strategic resource management ensures every decision maximises impact on outcomes and builds efficiency, accountability and trust.
Module 6: Working in Partnership and Leading Across Communities
Face-to-face day
Lead beyond the school gate. Engage parents, boards and local communities as partners in improvement and lead collaboration across schools and networks.
Online module
- Map current partnerships within your community.
- Explore case studies of successful school-community collaboration.
- Develop a stakeholder engagement plan to build stronger relationships.
- Draft a cross-school improvement initiative to scale collaboratively.
Key questions
- How can leaders build trust with parents and communities?
- What makes external partnerships effective and sustainable?
- How can cross-school collaboration accelerate improvement?
How this transforms practice
Engaging beyond the school strengthens trust, accountability and resources. Partnerships and networks expand opportunities for pupils and enable wider system improvement.
This programme is part of EBTD’s leadership development in Bangladesh and connects with the wider Teacher Training (BD) offer.
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