Effective Training for Subject Leaders

Abstract

The relationship between departmental improvement and school improvement is well established within the research literature. Within the United Kingdom, subject or curriculum leaders play an increasingly important role in securing and maintaining departmental improvement, however preparation and training for the role is highly variable. This article outlines the findings from research funded by the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) that explored the nature, scope and impact of professional development and training opportunities available to subject leaders in England and Wales. Its central purpose was to identify the types of professional development and training opportunities that were most effective in changing subject leaders' practice within the school and classroom context. The article describes the most effective models of training for subject leaders and concludes by suggesting that the National College for School Leadership has a critical role to play in securing top quality professional development programmes for them