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 guests)
The English leadership networks for Hampshire meet termly for regular CPD, professional discussion and sharing of good practice. This is a full day's training each term in a hotel venue and is a well-established group of subject leaders - there is an absolute wealth of knowledge and support in the room.
All are welcome: if you are not based in Hampshire but are prepared to travel to Winchester and would like to join this vibrant and supportive professional community, please check here for details on how to set up a Learning Zone account and book your place in the network.
Book via the Learning Zone
The primary aims of the subject network meetings are:
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.
Telling the story: the English education subject report from Ofsted (March 2024)
Telling the story: the English education subject report - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Ofsted research review series: English (July 2022)
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 guests)
The English leadership networks for Hampshire meet termly for regular CPD, professional discussion and sharing of good practice. This is a full day's training each term in a hotel venue and is a well-established group of subject leaders - there is an absolute wealth of knowledge and support in the room.
All are welcome: if you are not based in Hampshire but are prepared to travel to Winchester and would like to join this vibrant and supportive professional community, please check here for details on how to set up a Learning Zone account and book your place in the network.
Book via the Learning Zone
- Staff in Hampshire maintained schools click here.
- Staff in Hampshire academies, IOW schools and other schools with a Learning Zone account click here
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.
| Autumn term | 8 October 2024 | |
| Spring term | 26 February 2025 | |
| Summer term | 19 February 2025 |
|---|
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.
Telling the story: the English education subject report from Ofsted (March 2024)
Telling the story: the English education subject report - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Ofsted research review series: English (July 2022)
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/