This unique training course provides participants with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and knowledge in the context of special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision. Learning alongside fellow SEND professionals from the further education sector, you will explore your own leadership challenges through a combination of online learning sessions, action learning sets and coaching.
Who is this course for?
This course is suitable for
principals and aspiring principals of specialist FE colleges
leaders and aspiring leaders of SEND or additional learning needs (ALN) provision in other FE and skills settings.
Why should I do this course?
This is an ideal course for professionals who want to develop their leadership skills in the context of SEND/ALN provision, with a delivery team and fellow participants who understand SEND/ALN issues.
You will develop your knowledge and skills in a supportive environment, learning not only from course leaders and guest contributors, but also from your fellow participants.
By the end of the course you will have gained a peer network of senior leaders working in SEND/ALN. We hope that you will be able to continue to support one another as your careers develop.
Having improved your understanding of leadership and developed your skills, you will be well-placed to lead not only your own organisations but also the wider SEND/ALN system.
How is this course delivered?
The course is delivered through blended learning and includes:
an initial face-to-face orientation day
three modules delivered through online group learning sessions
a fourth module delivered face-to-face including final reflective activities
three online meetings in action learning sets
four coaching sessions delivered remotely.
You will also have access to a set of digital resources and be encouraged to extend your learning through peer learning experiences.
The total structured learning time for the programme is approximately 36 hours; you should allow a further 20 hours (approximately) of self-directed preparation and reflection to enable you to get the most out of the course.
Course Structure
Click on the icons in the diagram below to explore the course elements in more detail.
A full day face-to-face interactive session to kick off the programme in which you will meet the course leader, coaches and your fellow participants. You will leave this session with an understanding of the programme aims, content, format and approach and will have had the opportunity to have any questions answered. Collective ‘hopes’ and ‘fears’ will be explored in a supportive environment to ensure that everyone begins the journey fully motivated. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, this will be the first step in building a professional network with your fellow participants.
Each participant will have four 1:1 sessions with a leadership coach. Coaching is normally provided remotely. All sessions are confidential with a duration of 90 mins. The first session is slightly longer to allow for additional contracting formalities to be completed.
The coaching sessions are an opportunity for you to reflect on the programme and discuss your thoughts and conclusions in a safe, supportive environment.
The leadership coach will act as a ‘critical friend’, providing challenge and support to facilitate your leadership journey. The coaching sessions take place between Core Sessions in the programme timeline to encourage you to use the time to reflect on the previous Core Session and to prepare for the next elements of the programme. You may, however, decide to use the time to reflect on and discuss any element of leadership.
A 3-hour interactive on-line session to explore the subject of leadership from the inside out.
Before attending this core session, you will have completed a number of short pre-module reflective activities and questionnaires and will have also had the opportunity to discuss your conclusions with your coach.
Working in pairs or small groups, you will share the conclusions of their pre-work to explore how topics such as their values, beliefs, strengths and motivators have an impact on their approach to leadership.
You will also explore the topic of individual resilience giving you a set of practical tools to build and grow your resilience as a leader.
Each participant will have four 1:1 sessions with a leadership coach. Coaching is normally provided remotely. All sessions will be confidential with a duration of 90 mins.
The coaching sessions are an opportunity for you to reflect on the programme and discuss your thoughts and conclusions in a safe, supportive environment.
The leadership coach will act as a ‘critical friend’, providing challenge and support to facilitate your leadership journey. The coaching sessions take place between Core Sessions in the programme timeline to encourage you to use the time to reflect on the previous Core Session and to prepare for the next elements of the programme. You may, however, decide to use the time to reflect on and discuss any element of leadership.
Participants meet in group of 4-6 participants (known as a set). The Set participants will remain constant throughout the programme.
Each participant is allocated time to ‘present’ and explore a leadership problem/challenge. Ideally, participants will bring a significant leadership challenge that can be worked on throughout the programme.
Taking it in turns, the whole set works for the benefit of the person presenting the issue using insightful questioning.
The aim for the individual presenting the issue is to act on the issue and to reflect and learn from their action.
Action learning is often the most powerful and long-lasting element of a leadership programme with participants choosing to continue the group beyond the end of the programme.
A 3-hour online interactive session to explore the complexities of leading an organisation in the SEND/ALN sector and to identify ways to lead both within and beyond their boundaries.Before attending this core session, you will have completed a number of short pre-module reflective activities and questionnaires and will have also had the opportunity to discuss your conclusions with your coach.Working in pairs or small groups, you will share the conclusions of your pre-work to explore the challenges faced when leading your organisation in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) environment.The subject of ‘change’ and ‘learning agility’ will be introduced, and using a ‘systems’ approach, you will be encouraged to consider the impact of your various stakeholder groups.
Each participant will have four 1:1 sessions with a leadership coach. Coaching is normally provided remotely. All sessions will be confidential with a duration of 90 mins.
The coaching sessions are an opportunity for you to reflect on the programme and discuss your thoughts and conclusions in a safe, supportive environment.
The leadership coach will act as a ‘critical friend’, providing challenge and support to facilitate your leadership journey. The coaching sessions take place between Core Sessions in the programme timeline to encourage you to use the time to reflect on the previous Core Session and to prepare for the next elements of the programme. You may, however, decide to use the time to reflect on and discuss any element of leadership.
Participants meet online in a group of 4-6 participants (known as a set). The Set participants will remain constant throughout the programme.
Each participant is allocated time to ‘present’ and explore a leadership problem/challenge. Ideally, participants will bring a significant leadership challenge that can be worked on throughout the programme.
Taking it in turns, the whole set works for the benefit of the person presenting the issue using insightful questioning.
The aim for the individual presenting the issue is to act on the issue and to reflect and learn from their action.
Action learning is often the most powerful and long-lasting element of a leadership programme with participants choosing to continue the group beyond the end of the programme.
A 3-hour online interactive session to explore how to be an effective leader of others.
Before attending this core session, you will have completed a number of short pre-module reflective activities and questionnaires and will have also had the opportunity to discuss your conclusions with your coach.
Building on the work completed in the previous Core Sessions, you will work in pairs or small groups to explore concepts such as psychological safety, power, influence and a range of different leadership styles.
You will identify ways of harnessing your individual strengths as a leader to achieve not only your organisation’s vision but to have an impact in the wider SEND/ALN sector.
Each participant will have four 1:1 sessions with a leadership coach. Coaching is normally provided remotely. All sessions will be confidential with a duration of 90 mins.
The coaching sessions are an opportunity for you to reflect on the programme and discuss your thoughts and conclusions in a safe, supportive environment.
The leadership coach will act as a ‘critical friend’, providing challenge and support to facilitate your leadership journey. The coaching sessions take place between Core Sessions in the programme timeline to encourage you to use the time to reflect on the previous Core Session and to prepare for the next elements of the programme. You may, however, decide to use the time to reflect on and discuss any element of leadership.
Participants meet in a group of 4-6 participants (known as a set). The Set participants will remain constant throughout the programme.
Each participant is allocated time to ‘present’ and explore a leadership problem/challenge. Ideally, participants will bring a significant leadership challenge that can be worked on throughout the programme.
Taking it in turns, the whole set works for the benefit of the person presenting the issue using insightful questioning.
The aim for the individual presenting the issue is to act on the issue and to reflect and learn from their action.
Action learning is often the most powerful and long-lasting element of a leadership programme with participants choosing to continue the group beyond the end of the programme.
This final face-to-face Core Session is led entirely by you, the participants.
In the time between completing the previous Core Session and this final Core Session, you will have worked individually, in pairs or in small groups to influence not only your own organisation, but the wider SEND/ALN sector.
Ahead of this concluding event, the full group will be offered an on-line planning session to help you decide how best to share your learning.
At the event itself, you will present a summary of your personal learning journey, highlighting the impact on yourselves, your organisation and the wider SEND/SLN sector, to an audience composed of your peers and invited guests from the SEND/ALN sector.
This Core Session will also be an opportunity for you to give feedback on the programme and for all involved to celebrate the completion of the individual and collective leadership journeys.
A library of digital resources will be available to participants. It will include public-domain videos, audio clips, websites, articles, blogs, vlogs, book summaries to supplement each of the core sessions. Some of the resources will support pre-work for each the core sessions. Additional resources will be provided for participants wishing to explore topics in more detail. As the programme develops, participants will be encouraged to suggest items to add to the library.
Peer learning is at the heart of this programme. As well as taking advantage of learning alongside other SEND professionals, participants will be encouraged to organise visits, discussions or group activities with fellow participants outside the structured learning time of the programme itself.
How will my achievements on this course be recognised?
Natspec will issue a course completion certificate to all participants who complete the course.
Who is involved in the delivery of this course?
Course leader: Simon Whitehouse
Simon will deliver each of the four leadership modules and facilitate the action learning sets. He has over 20 years’ experience in designing and facilitating leadership programmes for leaders at all levels within private and public sector organisations in the UK and abroad. He has worked with leaders in the UK further education sector since 2009 including on national programmes such as the Principals Qualifying Programme and Aspiring Principals Programme and with individual FE colleges, including specialist colleges.
Coach: Jane Ragless
Jane will be coaching course participants. She is an experienced coach, coaching trainer, manager, and practitioner. Currently Deputy Head of Learning in Foundation Programmes at Chichester College, she has delivered the ‘License to Coach’ programme across the college group, developing participants’ ability to create a coaching ethos within their provision. Jane has been involved with SEND in further education for over 20 years. Instrumental in the creation of a quality driven, robust RARPA process, she received the Chichester College Group STAR award for innovation in teaching, learning and assessment.
Coach: Franki Williams
Franki will be coaching course participants. She provides coaching to senior leaders in the FE sector as well as delivering bespoke consultancy and training. She is currently completing a Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring, accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management. Franki has worked in SEND provision as a teacher, manager and leader and has a specialist interest in working with young autistic people and those with profound and complex needs. She has an M.Ed. in Severe, Profound and Complex Needs from the University of Birmingham.
Coach: Kate Brennan
Kate will be coaching course participants. She is a qualified coach and retired further education and skills inspector. She has an MA in teaching adults with learning difficulties, with a strong focus on policy and risk management to enable learners to participate more fully in college life. Kate has many years’ experience of working with people at all levels in the FE sector. She has a particular interest in capacity building and citizenship in FE for young people with PMLD.
When will this course be delivered?
The majority of this course takes place over a six-month period, with a final reflective session in which you will consider course impact, around 10 weeks later.
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Simon will deliver each of the four leadership modules and facilitate the action learning sets. He has over 20 years’ experience in designing and facilitating leadership programmes for leaders at all levels within private and public sector organisations in the UK and abroad. He has worked with leaders in the UK further education sector since 2009 including on national programmes such as the Principals Qualifying Programme and Aspiring Principals Programme and with individual FE colleges, including specialist colleges.
Jane will be coaching course participants. She is an experienced coach, coaching trainer, manager, and practitioner. Currently Deputy Head of Learning in Foundation Programmes at Chichester College, she has delivered the ‘License to Coach’ programme across the college group, developing participants’ ability to create a coaching ethos within their provision. Jane has been involved with SEND in further education for over 20 years. Instrumental in the creation of a quality driven, robust RARPA process, she received the Chichester College Group STAR award for innovation in teaching, learning and assessment.
Franki will be coaching course participants. She provides coaching to senior leaders in the FE sector as well as delivering bespoke consultancy and training. She is currently completing a Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring, accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management. Franki has worked in SEND provision as a teacher, manager and leader and has a specialist interest in working with young autistic people and those with profound and complex needs. She has an M.Ed. in Severe, Profound and Complex Needs from the University of Birmingham.
Kate will be coaching course participants. She is a qualified coach and retired further education and skills inspector. She has an MA in teaching adults with learning difficulties, with a strong focus on policy and risk management to enable learners to participate more fully in college life. Kate has many years’ experience of working with people at all levels in the FE sector. She has a particular interest in capacity building and citizenship in FE for young people with PMLD.