Developing Educational Leadership in Practice

Education leaders have a key role to play in shaping the direction and culture of an educational setting. They need the skills to motivate others, adapt, and create strategies to respond to change rapidly - something that became increasingly important during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This 12-week microcredential explores the latest theories and research in educational leadership, and provides a solid introduction to the skills, knowledge, tools and language needed to help you futureproof your career.

Created by The Open University, you’ll benefit from the expertise of world-class academics who are known for their inspiring and engaging teaching methods in educational leadership, as well as their research that looks to influence practices, policies and debates – both nationally and internationally.

Learn how to be an equitable and inclusive leader in education

You’ll explore what it means to be an ethical leader in diverse educational settings and situations, and gain insights to help you challenge traditional ideas of educational leadership. Through engaging course materials and examples, you’ll be encouraged to critically consider how you can address issues of equity and diversity in education.

You’ll discover how to lead positive change and support teaching and learning effectively with a focus on leading through uncertain or complex events such as a global pandemic, changes to government policy or resourcing issues.

Apply your leadership skills to a wide range of education settings

This course will be equally as valuable to school settings as well as multiple educational environments including nurseries and pre schools, further education colleges, higher education institutions, charities, NGOs, multi academy trusts, governing bodies and business contexts with an education focus, such as private tuition companies, and non-accredited short course providers.

Create your own education leadership style

Throughout the course, you’ll be encouraged to identify and critically analyse your own personal or professional goals so that you can begin to build on and develop your educational leadership skillset and style.

You’ll discover the tools to become a more confident leader in a variety of educational environments, equipped with strategies to lead with confidence, overcome challenges, and make a difference.

Explore the latest education leadership theories and research with subject experts and peers

Throughout the course, you’ll be able to explore a broad range of educational leadership theories and research, gaining focused knowledge from subject specialists, including new approaches such as the consideration of a decolonising framework for educational leadership.

You’ll reflect on their application in relation to your own setting and regularly have the opportunity to discuss your thoughts and experiences with like-minded professionals on the course as you learn together.

Learning will draw on a range of engaging and highly relevant examples and case studies from a variety of professionals and settings, including a global perspective, that will bring your learning to life.

From the start of the course, you’ll be able to use your newly gained knowledge to make a positive impact as an educational leader, applying the skills you learn to improve performance in your current role, or progress to the next step in your career.

Throughout the course you’ll take part in weekly activities to support and consolidate your learning. At the end of the course, you’ll submit an assessment which is marked and graded by academic experts from The Open University.

Courses under this program:
Course 1: Developing Educational Leadership in Practice
-Strengthen your education leadership skills and put the latest theories and research into practice, with The Open University.