This module is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate and lead educational change in diverse learning environments. It explores the theories, strategies, and practical aspects of managing change within educational institutions, with a specific focus on leadership in the context of learning. It may include the following content:



Introduction to Educational Leadership Theories and Models of Leadership for example: transformational, transactional, distributed, and situational leadership and their application in educational contexts.

Understanding Change Management in Education.

Educational Policy and Governance Understanding the role of educational policy in shaping leadership and change management practices. Exploring how governance at various levels (local, regional, national) impacts leadership and decision-making in educational institutions.

Leading Organisational Change in Education The importance of culture in implementing change within educational settings. Techniques for engaging with and communicating change to stakeholders (teachers, parents, students, administrators).

Innovative Practices in Educational leadership.

Self-Reflection and Leadership Development: Tools and strategies for personal development and reflective practice in leadership.

Project Management in Education: Techniques for planning, executing, and evaluating educational projects.

Measuring the Impact of Change: Methods for evaluating the success of change initiatives in education.

Sustainability and Continuous Improvement: Ensuring long-term success and adaptability of change initiatives within educational institutions.

Students will prepare a presentation on a change initiative project they have been involved in, demonstrating their understanding of leadership theories, effective teamwork and the application of these theories in planning and implementing change (L0 1 and 3). A peer led professional discussion will enable students to critically reflect on current theoretical perspectives within a live project, identifying issues as well as considering improvement strategies ensuring that change initiatives are robust, and considering aspects of diversity, equality, accessibility and inclusion (LO 2).

Teaching and learning strategies on MA Education programmes are designed to develop personal, intellectual and professional skills. Students will encounter teaching and learning approaches that ensure the development of:¿

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Strategies of communicating clearly¿

Enhanced independent thinking¿

Understanding the societal, environmental and global potentials of education¿

Creative problem solving¿

Critical thinking¿



To support this skill development and to ensure that students develop subject knowledge and understanding, subject specific skills and focused transferable skills, a range of teaching and learning strategies will be employed so that critical engagement with aspects of education are developed. These might include:¿

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Individual participant learning activities¿

Group discussions¿

Participation in discussion forums¿

Group work¿

Peer review¿¿

Engagement with course and learning materials¿

Independent research¿

Enhancing technological skills¿

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There will also be the opportunity to receive developmental formative feedback focused on academic and professional development.¿



This module will explore leadership theories, change management strategies, and educational policy approach.

Activities may include:

Reviewing theories and models of educational leadership;

Discussions of case studies from various educational settings to analyse leadership challenges and change management efforts;

Reviewing educational policy and governance;

Evaluating the impact of change within own organisation and engaging with and communicating change to stakeholders;

Reflecting on own skills in leading educational change.

Critically analyse how team and leadership theories may influence change initiatives and teamworking.

Knowledge and Understanding

Critically reflect on the characteristics of effective teamworking within an education context

Reflection

Critically evaluate a change initiative approach relevant to an education context

Enquiry

Bush, T. (2020). Theories of educational leadership and management. 5th Ed. SAGE

Bush, T., Bell, L and Middlewood, D. (2019). Principles of educational leadership and management. SAGE

Brown, L. (2021). Effective school leadership in challenging times. A practice-first, theory informed approach. Routledge

Earley, P and Greany, T. (2021). School leadership and education system reform. Bloomsbury publishing

Robinson, V. (2022) Virtuous Educational Leadership. Doing the right work the right way. SAGE

Tran, H. and Kelley, C. (2024) Strategic Human Resources Management in Schools. Routledge.

Unless otherwise stated, all books are available online through Staffordshire University library website and each module has an online reading list accessed through the VLE.¿

Study skills:¿¿There is extensive guidance on academic writing, research skills and working at Master’s level available at¿https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/study-skills.

VLE Resources¿¿

The University VLE (Blackboard) will enable access to course materials, lecture notes, PowerPoint presentations and reading lists.¿ The VLE offers opportunities to engage in group work and independent learning¿by the use of¿such things as synchronous/asynchronous discussion boards, video links, blogs and wikis.¿¿

Teams

Teams may be used for one to one tutorial work and students will have access to Microsoft Office 365.

This module offers an in-depth exploration of leadership theories, change initiative strategies, and educational policy. Through a blend of theoretical exploration and practical application, you will learn to navigate and lead educational change. Topics include leadership models, organisational change, stakeholder engagement, innovation and the development of transferable skills necessary for leading effective change in an educational setting. You will develop the skills and knowledge to effectively lead change initiatives and critically reflect on approaches to leadership in the learning environment. This module prepares future leaders for the dynamic challenges of educational management.