Literature Review: Strengthen Collaborative Leadership

As part of my performance review with Kerry Mitchell, we have been discussing the part of my goal that pertains to helping our middle leaders (team leaders) to be more successful in their role. Part of this has been to read a professional reading called, "Middle Leadership Review and Doc Analysis - Queensland".

The review highlights the critical role middle leaders play in bridging the gap between classroom teaching and whole-school leadership, as well as their unique position in improving teaching and learning practices. Reflecting on the insights from the Middle Leadership Review, I recognise that there are FOUR key areas of growth I would like to focus on. Here are the leadership changes I will consider based on the findings:

Strengthen Collaborative Leadership

The review emphasises the importance of middle leaders leading collaboratively and influencing across various levels in the school structure. As a senior leader, I need to foster a culture where middle leaders feel empowered to lead initiatives and collaborate with both their peers and us as SMT. This could involve creating more opportunities for middle leaders to take ownership of key projects, facilitating regular cross-team collaboration, and encouraging shared decision-making.

Focus on Professional Development in Leadership Skills

The research shows that middle leaders require a combination of management and leadership skills, many of which are learned on the job. I would like to prioritise providing targeted professional development that not only focuses on pedagogical improvement but also on leadership and management skills. This could include training on data-driven decision-making, team management, and handling school-wide initiatives. Encouraging middle leaders to engage in reflective practices and leadership courses that align with their specific roles could also be beneficial...now to find some options!

Create Structures for Data-Driven Improvement

Middle leaders play a pivotal role in using data to inform pedagogical practices. I will continue to enable middle leaders have access to the necessary data as easily as possible, which I think I have been doing well for a while now. However, in our meetings I need to facilitate regular data discussions and create a culture where data is used consistently to drive teaching improvements. This should then have a flow on effect to help student outcomes and enable middle leaders to lead with greater impact.

Foster Innovation and Improvement

Middle leaders are well-positioned to lead innovation and change within schools. My leadership approach needs to encourage a forward-thinking mindset by providing the freedom and resources for middle leaders to experiment with new teaching methods, technologies, and programs. Supporting a culture of continuous improvement will inspire middle leaders to drive positive change within their teams.

Effective middle leadership is dependant on strong support from senior leadership. As an associate principal, my role is to provide the necessary scaffolding, mentorship, and professional development to ensure middle leaders thrive. By refining my leadership approach in these areas, I hope to help middle leaders become more successful in their leadership and in turn create greater impact in the life of our school and the impact that we can have on learner outcomes.