Postgraduate Course: Developing as a Strategic Educational Leader (EDUA11343)
Course Outline
| School | Moray House School of Education and Sport |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | 'Developing as a Strategic Educational Leader' forms the first course (20 credits) of a new postgraduate certificate 'Leadership and Learning: Into Headship (Specialist Qualification for Headship)', a new national qualification for headship combining both postgraduate and professional awards. |
| Course description |
This course will begin to explore the complex role of the headteacher in applying the principles and practices of strategic leadership. Participants will undertake a critical analysis of the wider local, national and global policy context to identify, frame and conceptualise a strategic educational issue pertinent to their school community on the basis of evidence and educational argument. Participants will also critically review their self-evaluation against the Standard for Headship and identify key priorities for their professional learning in leading strategic change.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Pre-requisites:
- Current full GTCS registration (or equivalent such as with qualified teachers from other countries);
- Applicants must have demonstrated to their employer that they have already met the Standard for Middle Leadership and Management;
- Normally with a minimum of five years¿ teaching experience;
- Applicants must have their employer and headteacher endorsement as a suitable applicant for headship within the next 2-3 years.
Co-requisites:
- Current and regular access to conduct work-based learning |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
| Course Start Date |
04/08/2025 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
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| Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) |
This is part of a professional Masters in which theory and practice are brought together
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
A summative assessment of 4000 words, structured in two parts (2500 words and 1500 words; 62% and 38%) with a grade given for the overall assignment.
Must be passed at 50% |
| Feedback |
Four opportunities for formative assessment and feed-forward will be offered (Scottish College for Educational Leadership coach, peer, in school mentor colleague, tutor) providing guidance on different components of the course. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- - analyse critically education policy trends and articulate the implications for headship, drawing from a range of academic literature
- - demonstrate a critical understanding of the key concepts underpinning strategic leadership in schools
- - identify and justify the educational purposes underpinning the focus for strategic change, drawing on relevant evidence and appropriate data
- - articulate the relationship between professional values and personal commitment in the role of a strategic leader
- - evaluate systematically professional practice and development as a strategic leader against the Standard for Headship, drawing from a range of academic literature to inform critical analysis
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Reading List
Bush, T., Bell, L. and Middlewood, D. (eds.) (2019) The Principles of Educational Leadership and Management (3rd edition). London: Sage.
O'Brien, J. (ed.) (2016) School Leadership (3rd edition). Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press.
Wallace, M. & Wray, A. (2016) Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates (third edition) Sage: London.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
This course will support participants to develop their capabilities to:
- search for, evaluate and use information to develop their knowledge and understanding
- have an informed respect for the principles, methods, standards, values and boundaries of their discipline(s) and the capacity to question these
- be independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning, and are committed to continuous reflection, self-evaluation and self-improvement
- seek and value open feedback to inform genuine self-awareness
- make effective use of oral, written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding
- understand social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and issues |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Induction seminar;
Seminars/Lectures;
Seminar for assignment submission guidance |
| Keywords | educational leadership,educational management,strategic leadership,Standard for Headship |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Kevin Brack
Tel:
Email: brack@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Lesley Spencer
Tel:
Email: |
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