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Senior Leadership Programme

United Learning's Senior Leadership Programme (SLP) develops and accelerates talented leaders across the country. It is a free online course for middle leaders aspiring to senior leadership or newly appointed senior leaders working in any UK school. It brings together leadership expertise, theory and practice that is immersed in educational context with webinars facilitated by United Learning leaders.  

Information for schools

These programmes are suitable for middle leaders aspiring to senior leadership, and those recently appointed to senior leadership. They are completely free and there is no cost to your school. 

Other than the live online launch and final presentation events, participants can complete the rest of the course at a time to suit them, which means minimal impact on their working day. No travel or time out of school is necessary.  

Information for candidates

This valuable and flexible course will require around one hour of your time each week over the spring and summer terms to watch the webinars, plus additional time to complete your learning log and discuss learning with your like manager or mentor. Webinars do not take place during the school holidays and are delivered less frequently during exam periods in May.  

Webinars are delivered live after school hours to support teaching commitments and encourage professional networking opportunities. If you are unable to attend a session, you can also watch it as a recording to help you manage your time and workload. You will benefit from additional support from your line manager or mentor, should you wish to provide their contact details, through regular updates and guidance we provide them. You will also have support from the programme co-ordinator throughout.   

To complete the course, you will be required watch all of the webinars and submit a series of learning logs. 

After successful completion of the programme, you will receive a digital certificate to recognise your professional development commitment and have access to a network of leadership expertise within United Learning; this includes continued access to recordings and resources, the opportunity to create learning sets with other leaders and a termly bulletin to discover the latest information about United Learning's leadership. 

Programme Content

Programme launch event

[Online]: Participants must attend the launch/induction event where you will meet your programme leaders, analyse your 360 and commence planning. 

Webinars

A set of 1-hour webinars have been developed and facilitated by leaders from within United Learning. Their content covers key senior leadership topics such as raising standards, behaviour and change management. Webinars take place once a week during term times via Microsoft Teams and are delivered after school teaching hours on various days of the week to flexibly support other commitements.

Participants must watch all webinars (live or the recording) to complete the programme. Webinars will not take place during school holidays.

Learning Log

After each webinar, participants are expected to fill out a learning log as a reflective activity; this can also be used as a prompt for discussion with their line manager or mentor to complete the course, participants will need to submit these logs captured in a digital learning journal (provided) as a portfolio of evidence.

Final presentation & celebration event

The celebration event is an opportunity for you to build your professional network, share best practice and explore options for career progression, as well as to hear about others' experience of leadership. The webinars equip you with the skills and knowledge to be an effective leader, this event gives you the space to reflect and focus on wellbeing. It is not a compulsory element to complete the programme but you are strongly encouraged to attend.

United Learning leadership alumni

After successful completion of the programme, you will receive access to a network of leadership expertise within United Learning; this includes continued access to recordings and resources, the opportunity to create learning sets with other leaders and a termly bulletin to discover the latest information about United Learning's leadership.

How to apply

You must be middle leader aspiring to senior leadership or newly appointed senior leader from a UK school to be eligible for this programme. For example, you might be an assistant or deputy headteacher looking to enhance your skills, or a head of department/faculty/phase looking to progress into a senior leadership role.​ This is a non-selective programme: if you meet the above eligibility criteria, you will automatically be approved for the programme.

Applications open in the autumn term. Please contact us if you would like to register your interest.

Contact details

To find out more or to apply, email leadership@unitedlearning.org.uk

United Learning comprises: United Learning Ltd (Registered in England No: 00018582. Charity No. 313999) UCST (Registered in England No: 2780748. Charity No. 1016538) and ULT (Registered in England No. 4439859. An Exempt Charity). Companies limited by guarantee.
Registered address: United Learning, Worldwide House, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB.

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