Effective practice |

The development of future leaders in education through a strong professional learning offer and effective succession planning

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Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Context and background to the effective or innovative practice
Description of nature of strategy or activity
What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?

Context and background to the effective or innovative practice

The local authority prioritises the professional development of both local authority and school staff well. They are committed to ‘growing their own’ leaders to support with succession planning and improvement. In response to challenges in recruiting high quality headteachers and senior leaders, the local authority provides a highly effective Aspiring Leaders Programme. This has been modelled on a well-established  senior leadership programme for Council staff, and is research informed and focused clearly on leadership in practice. This programme has helped to accelerate the personal and professional development, and growth of future leaders for schools in RCT.

The local authority also makes strong use of apprenticeship and graduate programmes to develop a highly skilled workforce. For example, the highly successful Graduate Scheme provides a two-year work placement and structured opportunities to develop management skills in a dynamic and varied organisation, coupled with a Level 4 Project Management Level Qualification.

 

Description of nature of strategy or activity

There is a strong culture in the Council of investing in the professional development of its staff. Planning for professional learning and development is directly linked to the delivery of the Council’s priorities, including the Corporate Plan and Education Strategic Plan.

The local authority supports the development of aspiring school leaders well. They ensure that middle and senior leaders are offered a wide range of opportunities to develop and improve their leadership skills. The local authority’s Aspiring Leaders Programme is a particular strength. These programmes are planned and evaluated effectively to meet aspiring leaders’ expectations and needs and are routinely adapted to ensure that they remain fit for purpose.

The RCT Aspiring Leaders Programme is unique in both its design and delivery. The programme is planned in response to the specific needs of the cohort and local and national priorities. It has been particularly successful in promoting both the personal and professional growth of participants. It has supported effectively not only newly appointed leaders, but also the succession planning of senior leaders in all schools in RCT for the last decade.

There is a strong culture of identifying and nurturing potential in employees and the local authority invests strongly in the development of their workforce. For example, local authority staff aspiring to management positions have access to a variety of structured learning opportunities including a broad range of leadership programmes.

Since 2005, many Education staff have engaged in a range of leadership programmes and cross directorate projects, which include developing coaching and mentoring skills and engaging in collaborative research projects.

These broad range of strategies have supported succession planning within the local authority well. Many former apprentices, graduates and trainees go on to secure permanent roles and leadership positions with the Council.

What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?

Leadership across the directorate is strong and effective. The broad range of training has supported leaders at all levels to develop a range of skills. They lead well by example and have secured effective improvements across the directorate. For example, the school improvement team have strengthened the way in which they challenge and support the regional consortium to improve the support for their schools.

The local authority aspiring school leaders programme is well regarded by school leaders and has supported the growth and development of these participants well. All of the staff who engaged in the recent programme have secured leadership posts.

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Leadership and managementProfessional learning

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