English Leadership in Secondary Schools
The importance of the role of English lead in any secondary school cannot be overestimated: English subject leaders tend to lead one of the largest teaching teams in the school, run two GCSE courses and are often also involved in the leadership of whole school literacy. English Language and Literature GCSE outcomes are crucial to the school's overall performance against Basics, Progress 8 and Attainment 8, carrying double weighting to reflect their importance in ensuring that students go on to future success. Beyond the practicalities, however, the English curriculum is one of the clearest ways the school can communicate its values because literature is one of the most powerful ways we can learn about human nature and the experiences of others: the choices made in the English curriculum, therefore, reflect the lessons about humanity we want our students to learn.
Leadership networks for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
The English leadership networks for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight meet half-termly for regular CPD, professional discussion and sharing of good practice. Book via your school's one-stop booking form or through the Learning Zone.
The primary aims of the subject network meetings are:
Isle of Wight group: IOW English Subject Professionals
National updates and publications
One of the most important things the English leader can do is to keep themselves informed about ideas and developments within the subject at a national and local level, thinking through the implications of key publications and announcements for their own school.
Ofsted research review series: English
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-research-review-series-english/curriculum-research-review-series-english
Ofsted blog post 28 April 2022: Supporting secondary school pupils who are behind with reading
https://educationinspection.blog.gov.uk/2022/04/28/supporting-secondary-school-pupils-who-are-behind-with-reading/
The importance of the role of English lead in any secondary school cannot be overestimated: English subject leaders tend to lead one of the largest teaching teams in the school, run two GCSE courses and are often also involved in the leadership of whole school literacy. English Language and Literature GCSE outcomes are crucial to the school's overall performance against Basics, Progress 8 and Attainment 8, carrying double weighting to reflect their importance in ensuring that students go on to future success. Beyond the practicalities, however, the English curriculum is one of the clearest ways the school can communicate its values because literature is one of the most powerful ways we can learn about human nature and the experiences of others: the choices made in the English curriculum, therefore, reflect the lessons about humanity we want our students to learn.
Leadership networks for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
The English leadership networks for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight meet half-termly for regular CPD, professional discussion and sharing of good practice. Book via your school's one-stop booking form or through the Learning Zone.
The primary aims of the subject network meetings are:
- to ensure clear understanding of the national picture and its application in local and school contexts
- to support effective subject leadership as appropriate to each school's individual context
- to develop skills, expertise and capacity through strategic CPD and sharing of good practice
- to deepen understanding of subject specific pedagogy and knowledge that underpins good progress and attainment for ALL pupils
- to foster school-to-school networking and build strength across the system.
Isle of Wight group: IOW English Subject Professionals
| Hampshire Secondary English Network | IOW English Subject Professionals | |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn 1 | 4 October 2022 (venue based) | 12 October 2022 |
| Autumn 2 | 30 November 2022 (venue) | 6 December 2022 |
| Spring 1 | 16 January 2023 (webinar) | 7 February 2023 |
| Spring 2 | 14 March 2023 (venue) | 16 March 2023 |
| Summer 1 | 4 May 2023 (webinar) | 27 April 2023 |
| Summer 2 | 27 June 2023 (venue) | 4 July 2023 |
National updates and publications
One of the most important things the English leader can do is to keep themselves informed about ideas and developments within the subject at a national and local level, thinking through the implications of key publications and announcements for their own school.
Ofsted research review series: English
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-research-review-series-english/curriculum-research-review-series-english
Ofsted blog post 28 April 2022: Supporting secondary school pupils who are behind with reading
https://educationinspection.blog.gov.uk/2022/04/28/supporting-secondary-school-pupils-who-are-behind-with-reading/