The College has a long history of supporting senior leaders within the children’s sector. The New and Aspirant Directors Programmes has been a constant offer from the College for a number of years now. The current programme is funded by the DfE and is aimed at those who are potentially looking to step into a DCS role within the next three years. The programme covers a wide range of topics and participants are given support from a number of different elements.
They undertake a 360° analysis against a set of leadership behaviours, receive a learning mentor who is a serving DCS, have regular 1:1 calls with facilitators as well as receiving feedback from our full-day immersive learning experience.
The Aspirant programme is split into 3 main elements:
Deliver
- Self as leader
- Role of DCS & Ofsted
- Leadership models
- Effective communication
Build
- Inclusive leadership
- Corporate world
- Political world
Partner & improve
- System leadership
- Building alliances & partnerships
- Innovation and change
- Engaging communities
The programme has a number of sector organisations and serving DCSs contributing to the programme. Participants are offered coaching and the option to obtain a formal accreditation after the programme has been completed.
The College also offers support to DCSs and in particular, those new to the role. The DfE funded New DCS Programme gives support to new DCSs for two years with regular support in the first year. The College ensures that all new DCSs are contacted immediately when they start in role and set up 1:1 support with one our programme facilitators, who are all ex-DCSs. We offer monthly sessions which cover a wide variety of topics including SEND, finances, media and working in a political context.
86.5%
of current DCSs are involved with The Staff College in at least one of the following ways
- On the Board / Facilitator
- Delivered on DCS Leadership programmes
- Participant of the DCS Leadership programme
- Alumni of other Staff College programmes
- Commissioned work
- Pending associate
- Mentors on DCS Leadership programme (past & present)
- Other (Advised on Leading in Colour but did not deliver)
84/155 DCSs have participated in the DCS Leadership Programme Aspirant and / or New DCS Programme
25 current DCSs
were a participant on the Aspirant Leadership Programme
Visit The DCS Leadership website
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