We are a group of like-minded leaders, looking to discussing equality within the sector and raise the profile of women leaders so that we contribute to the development of policy and practice at a national scale.
A key feature of the ASCL Women Leaders’ Network is the access to a safe space for discussion and problem solving – we currently have over 50 members and so a great deal of experience is available to support and encourage.
We also have a range of external speakers lined up for this year who bring a wealth of experience and insight. In 2020-21, speakers included Rowena Hackwood, CEO of Astrea Academy Trust, Caroline Nokes, MP, and Kat Banyard of
UK Feminista.
For 2021-22, we will be meeting monthly, with alternative sessions devoted to peer coaching. These sessions will be led by experienced coaches within the group who have offered their expertise for free and will take the format of small breakout groups covering the following areas:
- New to headship and applying for leadership roles
- Balancing work and family
- Managing the menopause
- Mental health and SEND
We meet monthly, via Teams, on a Monday between 6 and 7pm (see dates below), and actively encourage new members so please do contact
CorporateAdmin@ascl.org.uk if you would like to join us.
| Meeting dates 2021 |
Meeting dates 2022 |
| 20 September |
17 January |
| 18 October |
21 February |
| 15 November |
14 March |
| 13 December |
25 April |
| |
23 May |
| |
20 June |
| |
18 July |
Dr Nicola Crossley
Chair, ASCL Women Leaders' Network
Director of Education and Children's Services, National Autistic Society, and
ASCL Ethics, Inclusion and Equalities Committee.
Download the ASCL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan
Further reading
ASCL
Leader magazine
Voices for change by Dr Nic Crossley, Issue 118, Spring Term 2, 2021
Dual role model by Anna Paul, Issue 117, Spring Term 1, 2021
Change Makers by Gohar Khan, Issue 111, Autumn Term 2, 2019
Leading Women by Carol Jones and Gwen Temple, Issue 110, Autumn Term 1, 2019
On the ASCL blog
A case for leadership diversity by Vivienne Porritt, Co-Founder and Strategic Leader of #WomenEd