Successful Middle Leadership in Secondary Schools

This book aims to help those in middle leadership posts become more confident and effective in their roles. It will also assist anyone considering becoming a middle leader to prepare for the challenges ahead and avoid common mistakes made by the novice team leader. Packed with practical advice, the book encourages readers to engage with key issues, reflect on their approach and make the changes needed to improve their performance and that of their team. Covering all aspects of the leadership role, it contains advice and information on: - developing a clear vision - improving teaching and learning - raising standards - team building - holding others to account and conducting challenging conversations - managing meetings. The second edition has been updated throughout to reflect current role expectations within a rapidly changing education landscape. New chapters have been written by a current head teacher and a highly successful head of department and the author has provided more detailed guidance on improving teaching and learning through the provision of effective in-school professional development for teachers and support staff. With self-evaluation tools, case studies and reflection and action points, this book is essential reading for all current and aspiring middle leaders in secondary schools.

Peter Fleming has been involved in running training programmes for middle leaders for over twenty years. He has experience as a head of department, head of faculty and assistant head. He served as Head of Teacher Training at York St John University and was a Senior School Improvement Adviser for twelve years.

Preface  Introduction  Chapter 1: What is Middle Leadership?  Chapter 2: What do Head Teachers expect from Middle Leaders? (written by Kathryn Stephenson)  Chapter 3: Leadership Basics: how your behavior impacts on other people  Chapter 4: Understanding Different Leadership Styles and When to Use Them  Chapter 5: Working Together: Building a High-Performing Team  Chapter 6: Getting Communication Right  Chapter 7: Teaching and Learning: Setting high expectations around pedagogy  Chapter 8: Vision and Effective Planning  Chapter 9: Developing Your Team Through Effective Professional Learning  Chapter 10: Case Study: Departmental Improvement (written by Hayley Gregg)  Chapter 11: Monitoring, Appraisal and Holding to Account  Chapter 12: Looking After Yourself: Time Management and Stress Management  Appendix A: Subject Leaders' Self-Review and Professional Development Plan  Appendix B: The Subject Leader's File  Appendix C: Effective Departmental Self-evaluation  Appendix D: Subject Leader Self-evaluation of Roles and Responsibilities  Appendix E: CPD Audit  Appendix F: General Pupil Questionnaire  Appendix G: Student Interviews  Appendix H: Student Feedback: The double checklist  Appendix I: Developmental Lesson Observation: Focus - Improving Questioning