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WebinarImplementing a strong

vision - a practical guide for middle

leadersEdward Gildea

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What is the point of having a‘Vision’?

o To focus thought before action or decision-making

o To provide challenge, aspiration and inspiration

o To provide a context which unifies varied activities

o To test decisions, options and priorities

o To provide something for people to follow…

Clear vision is:

o experienced in actiono valid through future challengeso appreciated and sensed by all members of the team

or school communityo open to new ideas and developmentso celebrated when it is successfully manifestedo visible to outsiders.

Principles of Management University of Derby / egsolutions

Relate your vision to the whole school visiono What are the key words and phrases of your

whole school vision? eg: holistic, inspire, curiosity, enjoy, citizens, fulfill their potential, experiential, learning…

o How do each of these words relate to your subject area?

o Do any of the words pose particular challenges?o Are there any words or phrases you want to add

or subtract? If so, why?

• What are the implications for the key words of your vision in terms of:

a) The teaching culture of your department and

b) The style of leadership and team working you have adopted?

c) Their suitability to the allocation of SMART targets?

Vision check

Implications for Teachers of the word ‘Learning’

o Leaders focused on learningo Modelling curiosityo Monitoring and analysingo Talking about learningo Encouraging experimentation and action researcho Challenging and supportingo Mentoring and coachingo Open Classrooms

Getting ‘buy in’ to your vision

o Openly debate and discuss each of the key words and concepts

o Use a facilitating style to engage and involve all members of the department in teasing out the concepts

o Discuss areas of difficulty and disagreemento Use sticky dot voting to prioritise and obtain

consensus

Facilitation Framework

Effective facilitators balance focus along three dimensions

Outcomes/Goals

Process/How Dynamics/People

How to embed the vision

o Embed the key words in the criteria for lesson observations and learning walks

o Experiment with ways of monitoring how well you are delivering the vision eg: pupils feedback and self evaluation systems

o Ensure the key words feature in Performance Management and Self Assessment pro formas

o Built it into your expectations.

Motivation of Staff

o Ownership is generated by Creativityo Give scope for colleagues to be creative in

formulating, exploring and experimentingo Recognise, praise and affirm when the vision is

realisedo Question, challenge and hold accountable where

it is noto Be self actualised through the vision

Questions & Answers--------------------------------------------------

 

Relevant conferences for middle leaders

20th November, LondonEffective Middle Leaders: Lead your team to Outstanding (secondary)

www.oeconferences.com/middleleaders

25th November, LondonPrimary Middle Leadership: Lead, Raise and Monitor the Quality of Teaching across your Subject Area

www.oeconferences.com/primML