Leadership Pathways – A Worthwhile Course?
“Leadership Pathways offers senior school leaders practical access to the latest in leadership thinking and school practice, which will benefit their schools as well as them as individuals.
The programme seeks to build on experience that participants have developed in middle leadership and via National College programmes such as Leading from the Middle and Teaching Leaders. It can also help support those aspiring to take part in the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).”
Who is Leadership Pathways For?
This course is designed for senior leaders who intend to move up into a Head Teacher or very senior role within the next 1-2 years. This is a fairly specific leadership development course aimed at a specific level of staff. Applicants must also have previously been involved in successful change management, and have an opportunity to undertake a school-wide change project in the near future.
The course lies somewhere in between ‘Leading from the middle‘ and NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship). Many refer to Leadership Pathways as a stepping stone to the NPQH qualification.
What is the Role of the In-School ‘Coach’?
Each Leadership Pathways applicant will need another member of staff to apply as a mentor for the participant. This leadership coach will also be assessed as part of the application process, and should have a decent skill set which will enable them to guide the participant through the course and become a vital link in the communication chain between the participant and the headteacher.
What will I Gain From Leadership Pathways?
The website loosely describes the benefits as being ‘increased performance’ of individuals who show a proactive attitude and take responsibility. I think that on balance – the benefits will match the enthuasiasm you bring to the course, and intelligence with which you set personal course objectives. Ironically, those with the best leadership traits will probably draw the most benefit from this leadership course.
How Much Does the Leadership Pathways Course Cost?
The cost of the course to a standard school with over 100 pupils is £550, which is a surprisingly low price for a leadership course. This low cost will no doubt be due to the fact that the course is a “self-directed learning programme”, which hints that direct tutoring from the college will be minimal. This reinforces the fact that participants must be very organised and pro-active, as the success of this programme will depend on how rigorously they choose to follow it.
