School Leadership - Online

Intended to enhance professional practice, this course is aimed at individuals already engaged in a teaching or training environment and aspiring to school or college leadership roles, including principal positions. Study is complemented by participant reflection on real situations and is supported by experienced tutors, ensuring that successful graduates are extremely well-prepared to take up school principal positions

The course focuses on four key areas:
• Building teams and managing resources: Personality interaction in relation to team theory; systems and their development

• Leadership for learning: The leadership challenge of focusing on improvement at the teacher-student interface

• Strategic development planning: Involving colleagues in ownership of the vision and strategy for system improvement

• Managing the organisation: Skills and competencies in matters of legal and financial challenges; personal competence in communication, negotiation and problem solving

For further course details please see "Course Web Page".

Year one
Leadership for learning
Building Teams and Managing Resources

Year two
Managing the Organisation (PGDSL)
Strategic Development Planning

Standard entry conditions
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

Applicants must normally:
(a) have gained

(i) a degree from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or

(ii) an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma or an approved alternative qualification, e.g. a professional qualification; and

(b) be currently working in a teaching or training environment.

(c) be currently working in a significant leadership role, e.g. Head of Year, Head of Department or similar.

Your Application
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink").

Attendance
Fully online. Students are required to attend fortnightly seminars, 6 per module, and are required to engage regularly with the online discussion boards, synchronous and non-synchronous.

Start Date: September 2024

Career options
In addition to improving the successful candidate's career portfolio, this course will allow development of higher level skills of argument and critical thinking as well as improving academic writing skills and research capability. Having a Diploma level qualification in School Leadership should enhance potential career advancement.

Past students who have completed these Leadership and Management modules have been successful in gaining Vice-Principal and Principal posts both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Other pathways have also led to enhanced professional practice and career advancement.