September 2010

The know zone

  • Legal tender?
    Schools and colleges should ensure they are prepared for the potential cost of legal action brought about by the ‘no-win, no-fee’ legions of lawyers, says Richard Bird. More
  • Academy checklist
    Your legal questions answered by the ASCL member support team. More
  • Making a meal of it?
    Introducing a pupil premium will be neither quick nor simple, as Sam Ellis explains. More
  • Mission control
    ASCL member, Clare Darley was one of the inaug ural participants in Teach First, the scheme bringing top graduates to work in challenging secondary schools. She is currently assistant pr incipal for teaching and learning at Paddington Academy in west London. Away from school, she recently ran her second marathon and plays club-level hockey. Interview by John Holt. More
  • Focus on WWF
    Taking inspiration from 1960s rock stars, school leaders are being invited to leave their classrooms behind and get their heads together in the country. More
  • Getting the best from staff
    As school budgets are squeezed, training and development can be one of the first things to go. More
  • Rolling up for academy rewards?
    The coalition government has invited all outstanding schools to become academies. Is it an opportunity to innovate for the good of all students? Or will it drain money from the system and leave other schools isolated? We asked ASCL members for their views. More
  • Leaders' surgery...
    The antidote to common leadership conundrums... More
  • An ever-changing landscape
    ASCL general secretary, Brian Lightman reflects on the changed world in which he will be operating and what it means for the association and its members. More
  • Captivating lessons
    More
  • Lead vocals
    Quotes from John Lennon, Alexandra Stoddard, Bernard-Paul Heroux and Anita Roddick. More
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Taking inspiration from 1960s rock stars, school leaders are being invited to leave their classrooms behind and get their heads together in the country.

Focus on WWF

Global charity WWF has a long history of educating the public about the natural world and provides a wealth of information to help schools get to grips with the theory and practice of sustainability.

Now it has developed a new, free programme targeting school leaders and offering them the opportunity to reflect on and develop their own leadership skills while spending time in the Kent countryside.

Leading for the Future

Leading for the Future features activities ranging from “modelling and visioning the ideal school system” and reflection on your leadership journey and personal values to milking cows...

Leaders focus on improving their leadership through different ways of thinking, learning and working. The programme is fully funded and has been put together in collaboration with Commonwork, an education centre and working organic farm at Bore Place in Kent, and David Dixon, a head in Newark, Nottinghamshire.

Commonwork, which hosts the three-day residential course, has a well-established programme of activities and events for school students and teachers.

David Dixon has worked with the National College on its leadership for sustainability project, as well as carrying out his own doctoral research.

The course is being piloted from October 19-22 and is aimed mainly at heads in all phases, although people in other positions of leadership in education are welcome to apply. The application process involves completing a short questionnaire plus a phone interview with a member of WWF staff.

For further information and an application form contact Jacqueline Leach at Commonwork JacquelineL@commonwork.org or Zaria Greenhill at WWF via zgreenhill@wwf.org.uk

Other resources

WWF’s One Planet Schools initiative encourages schools to put concern for the environment, their community and the wider world at the heart of school life and students’ learning. Resources include musicals written for schools which deal with issues such as rainforest destruction and pollution of the oceans. Learn more and watch a film on the One Planet programme at www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/ working_with_schools/about_ one_planet_schools/

WWF carries out research into education for a sustainable future, including studies of successful leadership of sustainability and of pupils’ experiences of sustainability education. See www.wwf.org. uk/what_we_do/changing_the_ way_we_live/education/

Commonwork provides a variety of support to teachers and students through training sessions, workshops, visits and learning resources. See www.commonwork.org/ school_resources.htm


Each issue of Leader will spotlight an organisation offering resources, research or new initiatives to support schools and colleges.

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