LEADING FROM THE MIDDLEA HIGH IMPACT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR FE AND TRAINING SECTOR MIDDLE MANAGERS FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

Leading from the Middle is the FE and Training sector’s new high impact development programme for sector middle managers.

Those in middle leadership and management roles are increasingly vital to the success of any organisation. Even more so in Colleges, Independent Training Providers, Sixth-Form Colleges and Adult Community Learning Providers. Funded by the Department for Education, this programme commissioned by the Education and Training Foundation aims to improve the professional effectiveness of this important tier of sector leadership. It forms a key part of the ETF’s national leadership programme which includes support for Principals and Chief Finance Officers. Delivered by a team of experts from across the sector and beyond and supported with a range of supplementary input from sector experts the programme will motivate and inspire middle leaders to succeed in their sector careers.

Find out more: fea.co.uk/leading-from-the-middle quality@fea.co.uk

An innovative, personalised and flexible delivery modelLeading from the Middle adopts a highly innovative and flexible delivery model designed to meet the needs of busy middle leaders. The programme features: n four face-to-face delivery sessions

over nine weeksn supported by bespoke online contentn one-to-one mentoring, n webinars n focussed learning activity to meet

a particular organisational challenge. The programme’s learning approach is centred around the specific needs of the individual middle leader. As well as undertaking a range of core learning elements, participants will be able to explore a number of areas appropriate to their key areas of development.

Who is this programme for? Colleagues in middle leadership roles with responsibility and accountability for a functional area or curriculum department and the performance of a team. Colleagues from all parts of the FE and Training sector are welcome i.e. Colleges, ACL Providers and Independent training providers. Colleagues with responsibility for curriculum, learning, operations and business support are welcome.Expectations on the programme are high and managers will need to commit fully to it. Managers on the programme will need the support internally from a senior manager and be able to work independently throughout the programme. We particularly welcome participants that reflect the wider communities we serve as we value diversity and inclusion and are committed to equality of opportunities. We recognise that the evidence shows that often people from minority groups may feel less confident about putting themselves forward for a programme such as this and we are keen to hear from people with a very wide range of experiences and backgrounds to enrich the discussion and debate.

Contemporary, personalised and relevant programme content.

Programme content for Leading from the Middle has been developed following research and feedback from sector leaders and middle managers. With a clear focus on personal and professional effectiveness, coupled with learning that impacts on organisational performance, this programme is suitable for middle leaders and managers across all aspects of an FE and Training organisation.

The programme offers five modules of learning:Module 1: The FE and Skills Business – building strategic awarenessThrough this module participants will build their understanding of the key drivers impacting on the modern FE and Training sector and be able to apply this to internal decision making. The module also provides participants with an introductory level of understanding of college funding and finance, management information and its impact on funding and performance.

Module 2: The Modern FE and Training Leader – What I Need In My Leadership ToolkitThis leadership focused module will focus on the dual aspects of leadership and management whilst building strengths and minimising weaknesses in leadership practice. Participants will develop a strategic mindset in order to lead people, change and innovation successfully.

Module 3: Leading a contemporary and diverse workforceThrough this module participants will gain a solid understanding of inclusive leadership and be introduced to different perspectives of diversity. By exploring concepts such as unconscious bias participants will focus on the impact of inclusivity and diversity on the culture of organisations.

Module 4: Leading Operations and the Client Experience This module will enable participants to establish a clear sense of purpose of their role and understand the critical success factors to enable high performance. They will assess the factors within the working environment that impact on performance and develop new thinking to aid performance such as lean practices and operations.

Module 5: Achieving personal and career successThis highly reflective and personalised module will stimulate leadership reflection and provide participants with an understanding of how they can pursue a successful career in the FE and Skills sector. Participants will develop a realistic career plan whilst establishing effective approaches to self and team accountability.

Harnessing sector expertiseWith a core delivery team made up of sector specialists and training and development experts, this programme harnesses expertise from a broad and highly relevant experience base. Supplemented with innovative input from experts through filmed talking heads, live webinars and one-to-one mentoring sessions, this programme is designed to respond to the preferred learning styles of participants. In addition, each participant will complete a Focussed Learning Activity which will address a particular organisational challenge.

Programme Design The programme is personalised and combines a series of mandatory and optional activities to engage with depending on your skills and experience.

The programme is made up of the following key elements: Initial assessment – the online tool will provide you with guidance based on your current skills and experience as to which modules and units you should undertake. Primer days – each primer day is a catalyst to launch each module and provide CPD on the five key aspects of middle management. Programme conference – the conference provides an opportunity to share learning and experiences from the programme including feedback from manager’s individual projects. Online programme – this will be the central point for all resources, activities, reflective tasks and forums to support you during your programme. Talking heads – embedded into each module are sector experts who, in a 15-20-minute video clip, will be providing insight into current sector themes or issues. Webinars – depending on the units you engage with, there may be webinars or other live action meetings to participate in.Mentors – each manager will be assigned a mentor who will provide support and guidance throughout the programme. The mentors are sector experts. Focussed learning activity (FLA) – the FLA is a project you complete during the programme. Agreed by a member of your senior team, it will benefit your department, the college and you as a leader.

The schedule of primer days and conferences is as follows:

Cohort 1 2

Location London Birmingham

Primer Day 1 31 October 2018 24 January 2019

Primer Day 2 9 November 2018 30 January 2019

Primer Day 3 15 November 2018 12 February 2019

Conference 4 January 2019 25 March 2019

157-197 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SP 020 3740 8280 enquiries@etfoundation.co.uk ETFOUNDATION.CO.UK

© Education Training and FoundationRegistered charity number: 1153859Company registration number (England and Wales): 0854059797

What next? For more information regarding the programme, please email quality@fea.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can find more information and book your place on the FE Associates website: fea.co.uk/leading-from-the-middle

If you’d like to find out more about the ETF’s full leadership offer, visit leadershiphub.etfoundation.co.uk

The total price for the programme is £975 per person.

This programme is being delivered by FE Associates on behalf of the Education and Training Foundation.

Delivered by