Another great conference!
Find the slides linked below from my session, ‘From Teacher to Leader’ from the 2025 researchEd National Conference.
I’ve been passionate about and fascinated by the field of leadership since I was a teenager. Studying GCSE Business gave me the most gentle of introductions into the field (a quick look at autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire styles), and yet even what I learned then has stayed with me.
Years later (after pursuing Economics at A level, and going on to study International Business at degree level), I was perplexed by some of the leadership behaviours I was exposed to in schools. Why were these senior people using styles that most Year 11 Business students would call out as ‘not appropriate for the context’ if presented to them in a case study.
Not everyone studied GCSE Business did they though, never mind higher level qualifications in the field. In fact many, many school leaders had received no leadership education whatsoever. Good teachers, diligent pastoral tutors and effective behaviour managers has risen up through the ranks, and yet never really been required to think about, plan for, or reflect on their leadership approach, leadership theories, or effective leadership practice. It was all left to chance.
Things have improved somewhat in the sector over time, partly as the internet has increased access to a wealth of content from other contexts (sport, business) that have inspired some to explore the leadership domain, and also through some of the content in NPQs at middle and senior level, as well as more ‘corporate’ MATs adopting business/other industry-style HR practices. I would definitely suggest that we still have a way to go yet though in ensuring every person who picks up a TLR is properly equipped to lead effectively in every school.
So this is what inspired me to put together this session. Hopefully it’ll help some folks who are preparing for or early in their leadership journeys to begin to explore potentially effective approaches (or at least avoid the most toxic and damaging ones), and help those in senior positions to reflect upon what their new and aspiring middle leaders might need in terms of CPD, mentoring and coaching.
Thanks for your interest. Do get in touch if you’re interested in discussing this more or if I can help you further on your own leadership journey!
Key points:
Many of skills need to be a great leader in school are different to those needed to be a great teacher. Being a great teacher does not automatically mean someone is going to br a great leader. Teachers need to think and learn about the different aspects of leadership roles, and the new knowledge, skills and practice they need to develop and undertake in order to be successful in leadership. Middle and senior leaders also need to be deliberate in their training and coaching of new and prospective leaders in order to ensure success.
Presentation slides here: From Teacher to Leader
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