LDS/RTU SUMMER SCHOOL 2008

Leading Learning in Diverse Contexts

Learning-centred Leadership
Leadership which really makes a difference
August 2008

Learning-centred Leadership
Growing amount of research and evidence to support this thinking My work began in small schools and then large ones NCSLs research took the ideas forward in primary and secondary schools International studies also provide support
Geoff Southworth

How leaders influence what happens in classrooms

Direct effects Indirect effects Reciprocal effects Indirect effects are the largest and most common Effective leaders work directly on their indirect influence
Geoff Southworth

How leaders influence what happens in classrooms

3 strategies

1. Modelling 2. Monitoring 3. Dialogue

Geoff Southworth

Modelling

Geoff Southworth

25 years of research
School-based Interviewing and observing leaders at work Found 2 things:
1. Never found a teacher with nothing to say about her headteacher! 2. When they talk about school leaders they usually talk about what they do
Geoff Southworth

Modelling
Leading by example Walk the talk Actions speak louder than words The walk is the talk Behaviour really matters its what we do Every action is a chance to lead You are closely observed you are watched
Geoff Southworth

Modelling

Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing.
Albert Schweizer
Geoff Southworth

Monitoring
Knowing what is going on Using data Observing classrooms Using leaders classroom practice as an example for other teachers Action research

Geoff Southworth

Monitoring what it is not

Not surveillance And it is important to establish what it is and isnt to avoid mis-understanding, defensiveness or even threat.

Geoff Southworth

Monitoring Reflections [1]

Monitoring is a challenge in your schools Q1 - What data do you or might you use? Q2 - Are there ways of observing teaching and learning? Q3 - What is the place and role of selfevaluation?
Geoff Southworth

Modelling and monitoring pedagogy

What we know about high performing school systems and those that close the achievement gap. 1. They get the right people to become teachers 2. They develop them into effective instructors 3. They ensure the system is able to deliver the best possible instruction for every child
Geoff Southworth

The quality of a school system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers
(Michael Barber & Mona Mourshed 2007)

Geoff Southworth

The quality of a school cannot exceed the quality of its teachers

Therefore the task of learning-centred leaders is to improve the quality of teaching in their schools.

Geoff Southworth

Monitoring
Monitoring should therefore include identifying teachers pedagogic strengths and development needs. Who could mentor whom? Who could coach whom? Subject knowledge Teaching strategies and tactics open questions; group work; AfL; plenary sessions
Geoff Southworth

Monitoring Reflections [2]

Q1. How is teachers craft knowledge shared and transferred in your schools? Q2. How might this be strengthened and improved? Q3. What are the obstacles to teachers sharing and developing their pedagogy? Q4. Which of these can you do something about and will you?
Geoff Southworth

Dialogue
Opportunities to talk about learning and teaching

Sharing craft knowledge

Transferring - reinvesting intellectual capital

Geoff Southworth

Dialogue
Describing Analysing

Reflecting
Articulating
Geoff Southworth

Dialogue
Conversation
Co-construction of professional knowledge Constructivist professional learning

Geoff Southworth

Reflections and questions [3]

What do staff in your school talk about? How much professional conversation is there? Who provides stimulus to these conversations?
Geoff Southworth

3 strategies = one powerful effect

Geoff Southworth

Modelling

Monitoring

Dialogue

Geoff Southworth

What do leaders in high performing schools with lots of disadvantaged pupils do?
#1. They focus on what they can do, rather than what they cant.

Geoff Southworth

#2. They dont leave anything about teaching and learning to chance

An awful lot of our teachers even brand new ones are left to figure out on their own what to teach and what constitutes good enough work. [US Study]
Geoff Southworth

#3. They set their goals high. Expectations matter behaviour, attendance, effort, attainment

Geoff Southworth

#4. Higher performing secondary schools put all pupils not just some in a demanding, high core curriculum

Geoff Southworth

#5. Principals are hugely important, ever present, but NOT

the only leaders in the school

Geoff Southworth

High performing schools Teachers regularly observe other teachers; Teachers have time to plan and work collaboratively; New teachers get generous and careful support & acculturation; Teachers take on many other leadership tasks at the school
Geoff Southworth

#6. In good schools, leaders know how much teachers matter and they act on that knowledge

Geoff Southworth

Good teachers matter a lot But some dont get their fair share of quality teachers Low-performing students of all races most likely to be assigned to least effective teachers. Leaders in high performing schools dont let this happen
Geoff Southworth

Nearly there!!

Good schools are nice places to be both for students and for teachers.

Geoff Southworth

Saying that they are nice doesnt mean they are easy places to work. Principals and teachers work hard.
But there is also a kind of shared sense of mission and camaraderie.

Geoff Southworth