WomenEd Case Study

WomenEd Partnership with The National College of Education  

WomenEd is a partner with The National College to increase the number of women leaders in schools, especially women of ethnic heritage. In creating a cohort of women-only learners, we wanted to attract more women to a Leadership Masters programme and so support women to take on senior leadership roles. We are delighted that our first cohort of 57 women was full and that we have created a thriving and supportive community.

As well as attracting learners, WomenEd worked on the academic curriculum to ensure that reading, facilitators and aspects of the curriculum are developed to address the issues that women leaders face in education. We are delighted this curriculum is now followed by all learners on the Masters programme which will, potentially, have a significant impact on how these school leaders tackle issues of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

WomenEd is focused on bringing about change for women leaders so the translation of Knowledge into Practice through the work-based Apprenticeship combined with the Masters is very powerful.

Learners shared these examples of what they learned on the first module (Knowledge) and the result of this learning (Practice):

• That understanding your own values is fundamental to understanding your practice and behaviours as a school leader.’ so will ‘Be careful not to let go of my values, however tired, stressed and how hard things are at the moment.
• That recruitment and succession planning need strategic thought and long-term planning.’  so will ‘follow through on all the reflection I have done for the apprenticeship task. I need to ensure as a school we have diversity and equality considered in our recruitment policy.
• About talent development, Psychological Safety and how trust is the main thing in relationships.’ so will ‘Amplify the voice of others. Employ coaching leadership – leading from the back not the front.’

We now look forward to building our second WomenEd cohort in 2022.

Register your interest for our next WomenEd cohort here

Vivienne Porritt

Strategic Leader of WomenEd