Challenges of stepping up from middle to senior leadership
In this session, an Dr Leo Dudin reflects on the transition into senior leadership, sharing personal insights from their journey as a teacher, head of department, faculty leader, and now deputy head of academic. Drawing on real experiences and lessons learned, they offer practical advice for those starting out in SLT, exploring how to gain perspective, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to succeed at this level.
Dr Leo Dudin, Deputy Head Academic, Oakham School
How to appraoch the practical and the philosophical: understanding how to make the transition into senior leadership
In this session, Hamira Shah shares practical insights to support those taking their first steps into senior leadership. Drawing on her journey from head of English to deputy headteacher at a large secondary school, as well as her wider leadership roles with ASCL and in the community, she offers advice to help new leaders overcome self-doubt, build confidence, and thrive in the role. The session highlights the challenges and rewards of senior leadership, with strategies to help you navigate this important career transition.
Hamira Shah, Deputy Headteacher, North Huddersfield Trust School
Being a resilient leader, building your skills and ability to manage change
In this session, Steve Playford, ASCL consultant and leadership coach, explores how to build resilience as a new senior leader. Drawing on his experience as a headteacher and coach, he shares practical strategies and models to help leaders develop personal and team resilience, manage change, and thrive under pressure. This session encourages reflection on what motivates your leadership journey and equips you with tools to remain robust, adaptable, and effective in senior roles.
Steve Playford, Leadership and Resilience Consultant
Effective line management: how to get the best from your team
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Josh Deery, Principal, Harris Lowe Academy, Willesden, Brent
How ASCL can support you in your role and common pitfalls to be avoided
In this session, Jim Retallick, Deputy Director of Member Support at ASCL, introduces how ASCL can support new senior leaders as they navigate the challenges of stepping into leadership. He highlights common pitfalls shared through ASCL's hotline and offers advice on overcoming early feelings of imposter syndrome, particularly for those joining SLT from outside their current school. The session provides reassurance and practical insights to help new leaders build confidence, understand their wider responsibilities, and access the ongoing support available through ASCL.
Jim Retallick, ASCL Deputy Director of Member Support
Updates on the post-16 sector and how SLT in all phases can prepare their students
In this session, Claire Green explores how new senior leaders can champion the post-16 phase to drive whole-school alignment. Drawing on her experience as Director of Sixth Form and her upcoming role as ASCL's Post-16 Specialist, she provides an overview of the latest developments in post-16 education, highlights the strategic role of sixth form in school-wide decision-making, and shares practical ways leaders can implement positive change to strengthen alignment across all phases.
Claire Green, Director of Sixth Form/Assistant Principal, Northampton School for Girls