Developing Curriculum Leaders Programme

1st class CPD for Curriculum Leaders

Earlier this year we launched our 1st class Developing Curriculum Leaders Programme, a comprehensive package of CPD for all curriculum and subject leaders. It will enhance the essential need to co-ordinate the curriculum so that it is in harmony with the whole school vision. It has five modules of deep learning for all those who plan and deliver the curriculum whether in the primary or the secondary phases.

It is one programme that is available for all subject or phase leaders and comes with the option of 8 or 16 hours of coaching from an expert coach and curriculum leader. It is written by me Glynis Frater author of Primary Curriculum Design and Delivery published last year and Secondary Curriculum Design and Delivery that will be published later this year.

Developing Curriculum Leaders

So for the 16 hour option at ￡3,450 it is a snip. If there are 10 main subject leaders that amounts to 345.00 for each. Their teams will enjoy the lessons and the associated resources so in terms of CPD spend it all becomes pretty minimal for an exceptional amount of learning, a shared dialogue and consistency in delivery. It is all contained in a package packed with activities, resources and research that can be revisited and reused again and again for up to a year. As the author of this programme and one of the coaches who is supporting schools deliver this programme I wanted to share some of the outstanding ways that it can be implemented. I have listed several ideas here and explain each in more detail.

• Part of an INSET where all subject leaders to work together over time
• Setting aside time each half-term for groups to work together
• Scheduling a series of twilights over a year
• Each curriculum leader works independently with their own team
• INSET where the whole programme is delivered in one day
• Individual curriculum and subject leads work at their own pace

Part of an INSET where all subject leaders to work together over time

There are five modules included in this programme that look at

• Leadership attributes essential for curriculum and subject leadership
• Curriculum and quality in relation to the whole school vision
• Excellence in pedagogy, learning and assessment
• Leading a team towards excellence and continuous improvement
• Goal setting and managing potential for future change and challenge

In this model curriculum and subject leaders plan some time as part of the allotted INSET days over the year to work through each of the modules. The coach is available for one or two hours to deliver training or work with individuals who want to have a one to? one or groups coaching session.

Setting aside time each half-term for groups to work together

In this model the school can put the subject leaders into different groups so that they can share ideas and learn from each other. The groups come together with the coach in the second half term, the fourth half term and the sixth half term for organised training where they work through the designated activities set out in each module. The last half term in the summer is also a time for consolidation and an opportunity for reflection, to share how the programme has impacted on learning and teaching both for staff and pupils? and to plan next steps to ensure the learning continues and individuals grow in their respective roles.

Scheduling a series of twilights over a year

Many schools exchange INSET days for twilight sessions over the three terms of a given academic year. The Curriculum Leaders Programme is ideal for creating a structure for subject leaders and their teams to work through the programme over the three terms. An assigned facilitator can work with the curriculum leaders to define the content of each twilight session and ensure resources and materials are ready for the sessions. There are five modules so planning the sessions can be spread carefully over the year to ensure that the learning is sequenced and there is time in between the sessions for practice and reflection.

Each curriculum leader works independently with their own team

Here the curriculum or subject leader has autonomy for how her or she will deliver the programme. Each department or faculty, phase or key stage is different so for some schools, especially very small ones this model will work well. Planning time and meetings are set aside for teachers to work with their subject lead to focus on the content, how to use it and how to ensure deep learning emerges. This can work well alongside appraisal and the focus on professional development for individuals within different subject or phase teams.

INSET where the whole programme is delivered in one day

In this model the coaching hours can be used to facilitate a whole day face to face INSET day where all curriculum and subject leaders work together through the five modules. The materials and resources are designed to provide ongoing CPD opportunities so in this model curriculum leaders can work with their teams following on from the INSET to cascade their own learning and strengthen their teams over time.

It does provide an opportunity for curriculum and subject leaders to share their approaches to planning and delivering the curriculum. Where the coach is asked to be in school or at a venue in person, extra costs may be incurred beyond the 8 or 16 hours coaching time but the benefits can be profound.

Individual curriculum and subject leads work at their own pace

Once again it is acknowledged that different curriculum and subject leaders will have different needs, maybe new or very experienced and come from all sorts of different perspectives in terms of subjects, size of department or faculty, type of school and cohorts of learners. The resources and materials that come as part of this programme are well-researched and tried-and-tested in relation to their efficacy in supporting the highest quality of CPD for educators. Where individuals work through this programme they will find a great deal to support them to develop their own skills as a curriculum or subject leader. It will also provide them with the capacity and the confidence to share their own learning with others as they work through the programme.

A powerful CPD package for all curriculum and subject leaders

This is a powerful model where the package and the coaching expertise marry to create a framework that will deliver excellence and continuous improvement for the curriculum leader and all those who are part of the planning and delivery of subject specific learning. It provides a wealth of knowledge and expertise gathered over time and looks in detail at elements of learning such as sequencing, concepts, cognitive science, literacy and numeracy, metacognition, assessment, team working and coaching. It focuses on leadership, managing change and marrying the vision to the curriculum intent.

As I have demonstrated here it is flexible in how it can be delivered and it is comprehensive in how it covers all aspects of the essential and pivotal role of the curriculum or subject leader. Strength is in collaboration and a shared dialogue and however this programme is delivered it will provide many opportunities for leaders, teachers and others to share the resources, learn from each other and reflect on the impact the learning from the programme is creating in relation to a consistent, whole school approach to quality in learning, pedagogy and assessment.

There are three options

• Option1 16 hours of coaching and the five module package ￡3,450.00 (Leads to a Gold Award in Curriculum Excellence)
• Option 2 8 hours of coaching and the five module package ￡2,550.00 (Leads to a Silver Award in Curriculum Excellence)
• Option 3 the five module package ￡1750.00 without the coaching with an option to buy single units of coaching at ￡120.00 per session

Give me, Glynis Frater a call on 07974 754241 or email me [email protected] or Tina Leonardi on 07880505819 or email [email protected]

Secondary Curriculum Design and Delivery??? Primary Curriculum Design and Delivery

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