Introductory description

This module addresses themes in educational leadership and management and aims to develop your confidence and effectiveness in the area. In particular, you will focus on the development and implementation of policy, scrutinising and progressing your own capacity to lead and manage strategically, including how to deploy resources effectively and efficiently.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

• Needs analysis; policy contexts; policy-making as a process; policy analysis.
• Policy, strategy, and policies; levels of strategy; models for strategic management and strategic planning; strategy and development planning.
• Policy analysis and strategic analysis for participants’ work contexts: practical activity.
• Strategic choices for participants’ work contexts: practical activity.
• Strategic implementation; linking goals and resources; effectiveness, efficiency, economy
  and equity.
• Site-based management and its implications for educational quality in different contexts.
• The resource management cycle, management control.
• Management of premises, learning resources, and time.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDINGDemonstrate an Informed understanding of the implications of international and national contexts for educational policy .Understand the relationships between national and local policy and strategies for continuing improvement in education.
• COGNITIVE SKILLSAnalyse and interpret critically Exercise independence of thought and strategic thinkingRetrieve, select, and evaluate information from a variety of sources
• SUBJECT SPECIALIST/PROFESSIONAL SKILLSApply strategic perspectives to the deployment of resources in order to secure quality In educationPlay leading roles in strategic leadership and management
• KEY SKILLSKey Skills Written communication Working with others Problem solving Numeracy Apply principles of experiential learning to own learning

Indicative reading list

Anderson J E (1994) Public Policymaking: An introduction. Boston, Houghton Mifflin
Barberis P (ed) (1996) The Whitehall Reader Buckingham, Open University Press
Caldwell B J and Spinks J M (1998) Beyond the Self-managing School London, Falmer
Coleman M and Anderson L (eds) (2000) Managing Resources and Finance in Education London,
Paul Chapman
Fidler B (1996) Strategic Planning for School Improvement (Pitman)
Johnson G and Scholes J (2002) Exploring Corporate Strategy (6th edition) Hemel Hempstead
Prentice Hall
Levacic R (1995) Local Management of Schools: Analysis and Practice Buckingham, Open
University Press
Mullard M (ed) 1995) Policy-making in Britain London, Routledge
Thomson R (1989) The British Philosophy of Administration Cambridge, Centre for Business and Public Sector Ethics
Preedy M, Glatter R and Levacic R (eds). (1997) Educational Management: Strategy, Quality and Resources. Buckingham, Open University Press.
Preedy M, Glatter R and Wise (2003) Strategic Leadership and Educational Improvement. London, Paul Chapman
Rawlinson D and Tanner B. (1996) Financial Management in Local Government. London, Pitman
Ross K and Levacic R (Eds) (1999), Needs-Based Resource Allocation in Education via Formula Funding of Schools Paris, UNESCO,

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Students should demonstrate a critical understanding of -

• the underlying values, theories and concepts underpinning the policy process, strategic planning and resource management;
• the complexities of the education process and the diversity of policy analysis frameworks/tools;
• power, micropolitics, leadership and strategy within the field of education, at the micro, meso and micro levels.
• the societal and organisational structures and purposes of educational systems, and the possible implications for policy-makers and the policy process
• constructively critique theories, practice and research in the area of education.

Transferable skills

• Active listening
• Cognitive flexibility
• Communication skills
• Complex problem solving
• Confidence
• Coordinating with others
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Intellectual ability
• International cultural awareness
• Interpersonal and communication
• Literacy
• Management of learning
• Personal development skills
• Reasoning
• Team working
• Using IT effectively