Principal’s Leadership Programme: From Vision to Impact
Overview
Our Principal’s Leadership Programme is built around the Department for Education’s National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Over three immersive face‑to‑face events and six online modules, you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to lead a school effectively. The programme draws on the latest evidence in school leadership, curriculum design, professional development and organisational management. You’ll leave ready to cultivate a positive school culture, drive teaching quality, design coherent curricula, manage behaviour inclusively, build staff capability and lead complex organisations.
Programme Structure
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3 Face‑to‑Face Events – Each event introduces two modules through interactive workshops, case studies and expert input.
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6 Modules – After each event, you’ll undertake approximately 20 hours of online learning per module to deepen understanding and apply it to your context.
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Evidence‑Informed Content – All modules align with the global evidence-base in effective school leadership.
Module 1: School Culture & Vision
Face‑to‑Face Day
You’ll explore how high‑quality teaching and positive relationships shape a school’s culture. Research shows that great teaching has a lasting positive effect on pupils’ life chances, particularly for disadvantaged learners. You’ll examine how to develop a clear vision, set high expectations and create an inclusive environment where staff and pupils thrive. The session will highlight the importance of mutual trust and respect between teachers, pupils, parents and colleagues and how that trust supports behaviour, motivation and academic success.
Online Module
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Analyse your school’s vision and values, and align them with the curriculum and community.
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Develop strategies for communicating vision and expectations to staff, pupils and stakeholders.
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Study case studies of schools that have successfully built strong cultures grounded in equity and high expectations.
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Reflect on how positive relationships with parents and carers can bolster student success.
Key Questions
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What does a high‑expectations culture look and feel like in your school?
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How does your vision translate into daily actions and routines?
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How can you build relationships that enhance motivation, behaviour and achievement?
How This Transforms Practice
A compelling vision and inclusive culture galvanise staff and pupils. When leaders prioritise high‑quality teaching and invest in relationships, schools see better behaviour, higher motivation and improved outcomes. You’ll learn to lead with clarity, align your team and create an environment where everyone can thrive.
Module 2: Leading Teaching & Learning
Face‑to‑Face Day
This module focuses on raising teaching quality. You’ll examine evidence showing that excellent teaching has a greater impact on pupil outcomes than almost any other school factor. Sessions cover adaptive teaching, ensuring lessons meet diverse needs without lowering expectations, and the importance of secure subject knowledge and instructional clarity. You’ll also explore how to support high‑quality teaching across the school, including coaching and lesson study.
Online Module
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Analyse data to identify areas for improvement in teaching and learning.
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Develop plans for mentoring and coaching staff to improve practice.
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Explore inclusive teaching strategies that provide targeted support while maintaining high expectations.
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Reflect on how to evaluate the impact of teaching improvements on pupil outcomes.
Key Questions
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How do you identify and nurture excellent teaching in your school?
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Are teachers adapting lessons responsively without creating “one task for every pupil”?
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What systems support teachers to continually develop their practice?
How This Transforms Practice
By focusing on teaching quality and adaptive approaches, leaders can ensure all pupils, including those with special educational needs or disabilities, make progress. This module equips you to build a professional culture where expert teaching flourishes, narrowing attainment gaps and boosting achievement.
Module 3: Curriculum Design & Assessment
Face‑to‑Face Day
A knowledge‑rich, coherent curriculum and effective assessment are the bedrock of great schools. You’ll explore how curricula should set out the knowledge, skills and values pupils need, treating subjects as distinct disciplines. The session introduces backward design – planning assessments before lessons to align teaching with desired outcomes – and highlights that pupils must master foundational concepts (such as systematic synthetic phonics for early literacy). You’ll also discuss formative assessment and high‑quality feedback that moves learning forward.
Online Module
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Audit your existing curriculum for coherence, progression and inclusion.
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Design or refine sequences of learning that revisit core concepts from different angles.
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Develop assessment strategies that provide teachers with actionable information and deliver feedback that is clear and helps pupils improve.
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Explore how to balance summative accountability with formative assessment that supports learning.
Key Questions
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Does your curriculum set out what pupils should learn and why?
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Are assessments aligned with curriculum goals and used to inform teaching?
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How can feedback be both efficient and impactful?
How This Transforms Practice
A well‑designed curriculum and robust assessment framework ensure pupils build secure knowledge over time. Leaders who align teaching, curriculum and assessment can monitor progress accurately, support teachers more effectively and ensure all pupils reach ambitious goals.
Module 4: Behaviour & Inclusive Practice
Face‑to‑Face Day
Creating a calm and purposeful learning environment is essential for achievement. This module examines whole‑school behaviour approaches, emphasising the need for consistency and coherence across policies and routines. You’ll explore how positive relationships, clear expectations and explicit teaching of behaviour lead to better outcomes. The session also covers inclusive practice, including identification and support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Online Module
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Review your school’s behaviour policy and identify areas for improvement.
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Plan proactive routines, such as meet‑and‑greet and positive reinforcement strategies.
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Develop systems for identifying and addressing SEND and for providing targeted support while maintaining high expectations.
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Reflect on how to involve families and external agencies in supporting behaviour and inclusion.
Key Questions
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How consistent are expectations and routines across your school?
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Do staff understand the reasons behind pupils’ behaviour and respond consistently?
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How do you ensure pupils with SEND receive the support they need?
How This Transforms Practice
Consistency and coherence in behaviour policy have a significant impact on learning. When leaders align routines and expectations and promote inclusive practice, staff can focus on teaching and pupils can focus on learning. Targeted support ensures every child, including those with additional needs, can access the curriculum and thrive.
Module 5: Professional Development & Staff Capability
Face‑to‑Face Day
This module examines how to build and sustain a culture of professional learning. Evidence shows that high‑quality, evidence‑based professional development improves teacher effectiveness and pupil outcomes. You’ll learn how to create a clear theory of change for professional development, provide time and resources for staff learning, and build supportive environments where teachers can experiment and reflect.
Online Module
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Audit current professional development provision and align it with school priorities.
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Design development programmes that are sustained, coherent and grounded in evidence.
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Develop structures for mentoring, coaching and peer observation.
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Plan how to evaluate the impact of professional development on teaching and pupil achievement.
Key Questions
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How intentional and evidence‑informed is your current professional development offer?
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Do teachers receive time and support to embed new practices?
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How can you create a culture where professional learning is continuous and collaborative?
How This Transforms Practice
Investing in staff capability pays dividends for pupils. Evidence‑based professional development leads to lasting improvements in teachers’ knowledge and skills, helping to narrow disadvantage gaps. Leaders who design coherent development programmes foster a culture of continual improvement and shared purpose.
Module 6: Organisational Management, Implementation & Governance
Face‑to‑Face Day
The final module brings together organisational strategy, implementation and governance. You’ll explore how to manage resources, budgets and staffing, and how to distribute leadership across the school. You’ll also learn about the principles of effective implementation: starting with evidence‑informed decisions, thorough preparation, integrated activities and adapting to context. Finally, you’ll examine governance and accountability, working with boards and stakeholders to secure sustainable improvement.
Online Module
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Conduct a review of your school’s organisational structures, financial management and resource allocation.
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Develop plans for implementing new initiatives, applying the principles of good implementation.
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Explore case studies of distributed leadership and governance partnerships.
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Create a governance development plan that clarifies roles, responsibilities and accountability.
Key Questions
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How do you ensure that decisions are evidence‑informed and context‑appropriate?
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What systems and structures enable distributed leadership and effective resource management?
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How can you work with governors and external partners to support your school’s vision?
How This Transforms Practice
Effective organisational management and governance enable schools to operate smoothly and implement change successfully. Leaders who apply evidence‑informed implementation principles achieve sustainable improvement. By developing robust systems and partnerships, you’ll be prepared to lead your school through challenges and opportunities.
