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Date: 2 Sep 2010
Address: http://www.nationalcollege.org.uk/index/professional-development/leadershippathways/leadershippathways-faqs

Frequently asked questions for Leadership Pathways

1. Who should attend the Leadership Pathways programme?

Leadership Pathways is aimed at senior leaders or those aspiring to a senior leadership position in the next one to two years:

  • who have significant experience in school leadership roles
  • who will have an opportunity to undertake a whole-school leadership change project
  • who have previous involvement in successful change management
  • who have the motivation to direct their own leadership learning
  • who are currently based in school
  • who have identified and are willing to work in partnership with an in-school coach to further leadership learning
  • who have the support of senior school leaders to undertake the programme

2. Do applicants have to have Qualified Teacher Status?

No, applicants do not have to have Qualified Teacher Status as long as they are currently in a leadership role in an educational establishment.

3. Currently I do not work in a school. Can my application be considered?

Applications from those not currently working in school will be considered. However, only school leaders currently working in a school are eligible for National College subsidy. If you do not currently work in a school and are interested in Leadership Pathways please contact your regional delivery provider to discuss whether the programme is suitable and what cost will apply.

4. Is Leadership Pathways a prerequisite for any other programmes, such as the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH)?

No. Completing the Leadership Pathways programme does not provide automatic access to NPQH but does enable you to gather evidence for application to that programme.

The NPQH application process looks for evidence of whole-school leadership and management, ideally within the last three years, in relation to the key areas of the National Standards for Headteachers. Therefore, NPQH applicants may wish to draw from activity they have undertaken in relation to Leadership Pathways or any other programme if they feel this is appropriate.

5. Where can I get technical support for problems with online materials/access?

You can contact our help desk on 0845 609 0009 or at enquiries@nationalcollege.org.uk.

6. How ICT literate do I need to be?

The programme contains a number of online learning modules; participants should be able to navigate around websites.

7. I have just completed the online registration for the programme. Does this mean I am registered or will I have to undergo further assessment?

Once your application has been received, it will go through the registration process, and your provider will contact you two weeks after the closing date to inform you of the outcome. Your application will not go through an assessment process; places will be allocated according to the priority criteria published on the website.

8. Will there be any briefings or taster sessions for the programme prior to applying?

Any taster sessions or briefings will be determined by your provider. Please contact the regional provider in your area for further details.

9. Do I need to know who my leadership coach will be before I apply?

Your application will not be complete until you have a coach assigned to you. The National College strongly suggests that you identify a coach as you go through the online application process as it is more beneficial for you to have someone who will be able to support you, who may be in your own or a neighbouring school and who acts from a position of some knowledge about your particular context and individual needs.

10. Who should be my coach and who decides this?

Your coach should be a member of the leadership team within your school. You are responsible for nominating your coach. Your application will remain incomplete until your coach has completed an application.

11. How do I access the online communities and materials?

Once you have registered with the National College, you will be able to access a series of online communities by signing in to your account.

14. Will I receive any form of accreditation for completing the programme?

If you are a participant on the Leadership Pathways programme and are also undertaking, or planning to undertake, a relevant Master's degree, you may be able to receive accreditation for your work. All participants who meet all the completion criteria will receive a certificate recognising this achievement.