Principal’s Leadership Programme: From Vision to Impact
Three face-to-face events and six online modules — aligned to NPQH principles, tailored for Bangladesh (BD).
Our Principal’s Leadership Programme is built around the Department for Education’s National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Across three immersive face-to-face events and six online modules, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills to lead a school effectively — from culture and curriculum to behaviour, CPD, implementation and governance.
Programme structure
- 3 Face-to-Face Events: 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 embed and apply ideas to your context.
- Evidence-Informed Content: All modules align with the global evidence base on 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 highlights the importance of mutual trust and respect among teachers, pupils, parents and colleagues — and how that trust supports behaviour, motivation and academic success.
Online module
- Analyse your school’s vision and values, and align them with the curriculum and community.
- Develop strategies for communicating vision and expectations to staff, pupils and stakeholders.
- Study case studies of schools that have built strong cultures grounded in equity and high expectations.
- Reflect on how positive relationships with parents and carers can bolster student success.
Key questions
- What does a high-expectations culture look and feel like in your school?
- How does your vision translate into daily actions and routines?
- 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 — a stronger lever for pupil outcomes than almost any other school factor. Sessions cover adaptive teaching (meeting diverse needs without lowering expectations), the importance of secure subject knowledge and instructional clarity, and whole-school supports such as coaching and lesson study.
Online module
- Analyse data to identify areas for improvement in teaching and learning.
- Develop plans for mentoring and coaching staff to improve practice.
- Explore inclusive teaching strategies that provide targeted support while maintaining high expectations.
- Reflect on how to evaluate the impact of teaching improvements on pupil outcomes.
Key questions
- How do you identify and nurture excellent teaching in your school?
- Are teachers adapting lessons responsively without creating “one task for every pupil”?
- What systems support teachers to continually develop their practice?
How this transforms practice
Focusing on teaching quality and adaptive approaches ensures all pupils — including those with SEND — make progress. You’ll build a professional culture where expert teaching flourishes, narrowing 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. We introduce backward design — planning assessments before lessons to align teaching with desired outcomes — and emphasise mastery of foundational concepts (e.g., systematic synthetic phonics for early literacy). You’ll also discuss formative assessment and high-quality feedback that moves learning forward.
Online module
- Audit your existing curriculum for coherence, progression and inclusion.
- Design/refine sequences of learning that revisit core concepts from different angles.
- Develop assessment strategies that provide actionable information and feedback that helps pupils improve.
- Balance summative accountability with formative assessment that supports learning.
Key questions
- Does your curriculum set out what pupils should learn and why?
- Are assessments aligned with curriculum goals and used to inform teaching?
- How can feedback be both efficient and impactful?
How this transforms practice
Aligning curriculum, teaching and assessment ensures pupils build secure knowledge over time. Leaders can monitor progress accurately, support teachers effectively and ensure all pupils reach ambitious goals.
Module 4: Behaviour & Inclusive Practice
Face-to-face day
Creating a calm, purposeful learning environment is essential. This module examines whole-school behaviour approaches, emphasising consistency and coherence across policies and routines. You’ll explore how positive relationships, clear expectations and explicit teaching of behaviour lead to better outcomes, plus inclusive practice including identification and support for SEND.
Online module
- Review your behaviour policy and identify areas for improvement.
- Plan proactive routines (meet-and-greet, positive reinforcement, reset routines).
- Develop systems for identifying and addressing SEND with targeted support and high expectations.
- Plan how to involve families and external agencies in supporting behaviour and inclusion.
Key questions
- How consistent are expectations and routines across your school?
- Do staff understand the reasons behind pupils’ behaviour and respond consistently?
- 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 on learning.
Module 5: Professional Development & Staff Capability
Face-to-face day
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 create a clear theory of change for PD, provide time/resources for staff learning, and build supportive environments for experimentation and reflection.
Online module
- Audit current PD provision and align it with school priorities.
- Design PD that is sustained, coherent and grounded in evidence.
- Develop structures for mentoring, coaching and peer observation.
- Plan to evaluate the impact of PD on teaching and pupil achievement.
Key questions
- How intentional and evidence-informed is your current PD offer?
- Do teachers receive time and support to embed new practices?
- How can you create a culture where professional learning is continuous and collaborative?
How this transforms practice
Evidence-based PD leads to lasting improvements in teachers’ knowledge and skills, helping to narrow disadvantage gaps. Leaders who design coherent programmes foster continual improvement and shared purpose.
Module 6: Organisational Management, Implementation & Governance
Face-to-face day
Bring together organisational strategy, implementation and governance. You’ll explore managing resources, budgets and staffing; distributing leadership; and the principles of effective implementation (evidence-informed decisions, preparation, integrated activities, contextual adaptation). We also examine governance and accountability — working with boards and stakeholders for sustainable improvement.
Online module
- Review organisational structures, financial management and resource allocation.
- Develop plans for implementing new initiatives using effective implementation principles.
- Explore case studies of distributed leadership and governance partnerships.
- Create a governance development plan clarifying roles, responsibilities and accountability.
Key questions
- How do you ensure decisions are evidence-informed and context-appropriate?
- What systems enable distributed leadership and effective resource management?
- 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.
This programme is part of EBTD’s leadership development in Bangladesh and connects with the wider Teacher Training (BD) offer.
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