Leadership Pathways-A Modern Course for a Modern School Leader

School leaders are essential for high-quality education. The role of school leaders is always changing. It is multifarious. Keeping this in mind, the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children's Services in the UK has brought about an on-going training program. The course is ideal for senior staff members of schools. This program offers composite learning, and latest in school leadership. Leadership Pathways looks at developing and enhancing the skills of individuals. As a follow up from the course, the participants can go onto the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Through, the participants can aspire to become head teachers of primary and secondary schools. Apart from being a qualification or certificate, it's a step towards effective leadership. Participants get to improve their skills. They are updated about the leadership qualities and essentials. It is a customised program to meet the needs and requirements of the participants. It gives them the opportunity to learn and lead. It is part of their professional development. The program is work based. In other words, it's on the job training. The program benefits the interested individuals and the schools as a whole. In turn, the teachers and students get a quality and efficient leader.

Objectives of the Program

Leadership Pathways provides the opportunity and means to develop efficient and energetic school leaders. In turn, they get to contribute towards the development of their respective schools. Leadership leaves a positive impact on teaching and learning. It sees students and fellow colleagues at the heart. The Leadership Pathways program prepares participants by:

-    Sharpening and strengthening their existing skills

-    Strategic planning

-    Values and vision

-    Organization

-    Developing communication skills (interpersonal and intrapersonal)

-    Bringing about positive development in the school

-    Making them understand the roles of efficient and quality leadership

-    The success and achievements that come with it

-    Accountability and transparency

  How to deal with challenges and find solutions

It makes the participants aware that leadership is crucial. It is not something that can be taken lightly. Leadership is a huge responsibility and leaders should take their roles seriously. By taking advantage of the program, participants can apply what they have learnt in their schools. They can encourage their colleagues to take up leadership roles. It will boost their confidence and skills. Moreover, they get to contribute towards community building, put things into action and assume the responsibility. Participants can promote learning and teaching in a holistic way. Teachers who have leadership experience and are seniors are eligible to participate in the program. It has been seen that too often, teachers upgrade and improve their teacher skills but leave behind leadership. They leave it to other; probably because they don't regard themselves as a leader. Everyone should be given a chance at leadership. There's a leader within every teacher. The thing is that either they don't have the confidence, or take on the responsibility. Being a teacher is a huge responsibility. Teachers don't want to pile up more onto their work. If every teacher thinks or feels the same, then there will be no leaders. The stakeholders and school management can turn this around by motivating teachers. They can provide them with on-going on-the-job training; sign them up for workshops; provide incentives, and praise them from time to time. These motivation tactics have worked well and fine in every organisation. Schools have to do the same. Teachers should be given the space to grow. They should also be promoted. It builds the schools' image too. Plus, the teachers will have the zeal to improve or better their teaching skills. Students will benefit. There will be good grades and high achievers. Good leadership brings about a chain reaction. There should be a collective and clear understanding. Teachers need to be appreciated. School leaders (principals) should be approachable. If there's a problem, they should be quick in finding a solution. They should look into the grievances of the teachers and make them feel valued. The thing to keep in mind that no matter how good the leadership, schools cannot operate without teaching staff. They are the sole as they disseminate knowledge and build communities. For the right of the school and students, teachers have to work hand-in-hand with the school leader (principal). It involves and take whereby, both the teachers and the school leader learn from each other. They build the school and provide quality education.