What is leadership in education?

Leadership in education can make all the difference in the success and positive outcomes for students. Effective school leaders make a strong and broad positive impact on the schools they lead by promoting positive outcomes and meeting transformative goals. We’ve put together some information on leadership in education to give you a better idea of its true meaning!

Who are leaders in education?

Leadership in education comes in many different forms but mainly come from those in senior positions. Here are a few examples of the more obvious leaders in school:

• Head teacher – Responsible for shaping, outlining and guiding the educational mission of a particular school. Their role is to create a learning environment that allows both children and staff to focus on the activity of learning.
• Deputy head – Responsible for assisting the head to promote a safe, positive and nurturing learning environment. Additionally, while enforcing the rules, they may engage with students and their guardians to resolve behavioural issues, maintain the systems for attendance and ensure the enactment of the head’s plans for academic achievement. 
• Head of department – Each department (e.g. Maths, Science, PE) have their own head. Their role is to lead the staff and students of those particular departments to success by closely monitoring performance.
• Head of year group/key stage – The head of year group is responsible for closely monitoring students on a more individual/personal basis. 
• Head of SEN/behavioural department – Most schools will have a department responsible for students with SEND or behavioural issues. The head of this department is responsible for ensuring its smooth running and that the individual needs of each student are met appropriately.

Why is educational leadership so important?

Effective leadership in education is extremely important in educational environments for many reasons. Here are five reasons why!

1. Effective educational leadership creates a vision of academic success for all students. 
2. Educational leadership strives to maintain a safe and receptive learning environment. 
3. Strong educational leadership is essential to school improvement and curriculum development. 
4. Good leadership in schools helps to foster both a positive and motivating culture for staff and a high-quality experience for learners. 
5. Research shows a clear connection between skilled educational leadership and positive student learning outcomes. It’s proof that good leadership in schools makes a direct impact on students’ experience and performance.

What makes a good educational leader?

• Shaping the future – a good educational leader should create a shared vision and strategic plan for the school which motivates both staff and students. 
• Leading learning and teaching – leaders in education (particularly head teachers) should take responsibility for raising the quality of teaching and learning and for students’ achievement. This implies setting high expectations and monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of learning outcomes. Creating a successful learning culture will enable students to become effective, enthusiastic, independent learners, committed to life-long learning. 
• Developing self and working with others – building effective relationships and building a professional learning community through performance management and effective professional development for staff. 
• Securing accountability – educational leaders are usually accountable to students, parents, carers and the wider community to provide a high quality of education.
• Strengthening community – creating links and collaborating with other schools, parents, carers and other agencies to share expertise and ensure children’s well-being.

How can i-teachers help you find your next role?

Here at i-teachers, we are an education recruitment consultancy focusing on providing long term and permanent jobs in Primary, Secondary and SEN schools across the UK. 

So, how can i-teachers help you to find a teaching job?

• Our friendly and experienced education consultants are dedicated to perfectly matching our candidates to schools suited to their skills set and personal goals. 
• We work with NQTs and experienced teachers across the UK, as well as graduates looking for teaching assistant roles prior to teacher training. 
• For our job seekers we provide an approachable, responsible and easy to work with team of professionals, all driving towards finding the perfect role and ideal solution for the future.

What makes i-teachers unique?

• Caring and experienced team of education consultants (check out our 5* TrustPilot reviews to see for yourself!). 
• We won’t rest until we have found you the perfect role in the ideal school.
• We are education experts, and offer industry leading, specialist advice. 
• We work nationally, so we are ideal if you want to relocate. 
• Our consultants are with you every step of the way, helping you to make the best decisions for your career before, during and after your placement. 

Get in touch with one of our dedicated consultants to find out more on how to find teaching jobs, or have a look through some of our current vacancies!