What's different about LftM?
The LftM programme emphasises the importance of schools 'doing it for themselves'. In other words, it is the school that takes on the responsibility of ensuring that training opportunities are taken up, networks within and across schools are encouraged and most importantly of all - that the middle leaders are supported in their work in school by a member of the senior management team: designated the Leadership Coach. The latter's role is crucial to the success of the programme.

Leading from the Middle is structured around four key areas;

• Leading innovation and change
• Leading Learning
• Personal Impact
• Building Capacity

It is a blended learning programme with the following elements:

• Face to Face sessions
• Coaching/Learning sets
• Leadership Focus (in-school project)
• Reflection

The programme focuses on the skills, qualities and attributes that middle leaders need to develop to become more effective in theor roles. It is a personalised programme. Each participant will mix their own blend to suit their learning style. There are key on-line tasks that all participants must complete but understanding of specific aspects of leadership.

There are no written tasks but participants who wish to have their work TLA accredited or approved at 'masters level' should keep a refelctive journal; further guidance will be given during the programme.

What is a Collaborative?

A collaborative group is a group of schools who have chosen to come together with collective aims, working together to address a specific local focus through LftM.
Many collaborative groups will be already working together before starting the LftM programme. Examples of these groups include:

• primary strategy network
• LIG collaborative groups
• EAZ groups
• family of schools
• networked learning group
• small school network
• school federations
• faith school groups

In broad terms in any group 25-75% of schools must fulfil one of the following:

• 20% turnover of middle leaders during the previous 12 months
• CVA score in the bottom quartile
  i.e. primary < 99.3, secondary < 99.01
• Schools that wish to address a demonstrable local need (perhaps arising out of Ofsted inspection outcomes)

Remember not all schools in a collaborative group need to meet the criteria

To set up a collaborative group there must be a minimum of 18 middle leaders and no more than 24 middle leaders.
Within the Collaborative group each school must provide the following;

• a minimum of two participants and one coach
• up to four participants and one coach

It is expected that there will be at least two participants in a school with a supporting coach (there exceptions for small schools with under 100 pupils)
However it is possible for the middle leaders to be from different schools in a similar location or cluster to insure you have the minimum number. If schools choose to collaborate one school needs to take responsibility to organise this. Once you have found another middle leader to participate in the programme with you then a decision needs to be made as to which school will provide the Leadership Coach.

There are three full face-to-face days and two twilight sessions for participants.
Coaches will attend one face-to-face day and two twilight sessions.

Leadership Coach Day (Leadership coaches only)
9:30-16:30
Facilitators and leadership coaches meet to discuss the principles, skills and characteristics of effective coaching in relation to the programme. The programme outline and expectations of coaches, participants and facilitators as well as on-line requirements are clarified.

Induction (Leadership coaches & Middle Leaders)
16:30 - 19:00
Middle leaders, leadership coaches and facilitators share their understanding of the programme. A key element of the session is an on-line demonstration with a focus on the compulsory elements including the diagnostic tool.
 
Middle Leader Day 1 (Middle Leaders only)
9:30 - 16:30
Middle leaders meet to consider the outcomes of their personal diagnostic report and begin to identify their personal priorities for development working alongside colleagues using a coaching approach.

Leadership Coach Twilight (Leadership coaches only)
16:30 - 19:00
Leadership coaches pause for thought and consider how effective their coaching have been in schools as well as preparing for a structured coaching session based on the inter-sessional task ‘Viewpoints on Style’.

Middle Leader Day 2 (Middle Leaders only)
9:30 - 16:30
During the morning middle leaders consider the implications of their personal style having completed Viewpoints on Style questionnaire on line. During the day participants identify their leadership focus, a key element of their learning journey.

Middle Leader Day 3 (Middle Leaders only)
9:30 - 16:30
The impact and potential of teams is considered in detail as middle leaders identify ways of improving team performance and developing the capacity of the individuals within their team. Middle leaders reflect upon their on-line learning and the impact of the face to face sessions. Prior to the celebration event middle leaders return to their diagnostic to check their personal progress.

Celebration (Leadership coaches & Middle Leaders)
16:30 - 19:00
Middle leaders share their learning with fellow participants, leadership coaches and guests through a ten minute ‘presentation/learning conversation’. Successful middle leaders are presented with their certificates. A wonderful celebratory event!

1. Interested middle leaders should visit the National College website in the first instance. Click on Professional Development .  Details of the collaborative criteria can be found at this location on the Leading from the Middle page.
   
   In broad terms in any group 25-75% of schools must fulfil one of the following:

• 20% turnover of middle leaders during the previous 12 months
• CVA score in the bottom quartile
  i.e. primary < 99.3, secondary < 99.01
• Schools that wish to address a demonstrable local need (perhaps arising out of Ofsted inspection outcomes)

Remember not all schools in a collaborative group need to meet the criteria.

2. Schools should contact Kelly Lowman on and ask for an ‘Expression of Interest’ form.

3. Schools that cannot be linked to a specific group should also contact Kelly as it may be possible to include them as part of a collaborative group in their area either now or in the future.

4. Once it has been established that the collaborative group meets the criteria Kelly will set up a spreadsheet in liaison with the collaborative co-ordinator within a specified time scale.

5. Upon completion of the spreadsheet an automated e-mail will be sent from NCSL containing a formal application invite. These applicants will be guaranteed a place providing their responses are received within 10 days. Any delay in the process may result in deferral.

To e-mail Kelly with any questions please click here

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