Think whole-school
Make the shift from leading one team to leading a school, and see how curriculum, staffing and budget connect.
Online course · Leadership · 15-hour certificate of completion
Becoming a Senior Leader
Ready to lead the whole school? A practical, self-paced course for experienced Heads of Department, Year Heads and assistant heads preparing for senior leadership. Learn to think whole-school, set priorities from evidence, lead change through other leaders and prepare for deputy head interviews. 19 lessons, a practical task in every lesson and a 15-hour certificate. Includes free access to the Northbeam Leaders’ Circle community.
Secure checkout · 14-day refund · Start straight away · Certificate of completion
What you will gain
By the end of the course
Lead leaders
Line manage, coach and hold middle leaders to account fairly, and become a strong member of a senior team.
Plan your next step
Prepare a strong application and interview, and plan your first 100 days as a senior leader.
Who it is for
Is this course for you?
This course is for you if you are an experienced middle leader thinking about a deputy head or assistant head role, if you have just stepped into senior leadership, or if you want to understand strategy, governance and finance before your next interview. You will finish with a one-page Senior Leadership Plan for your next career step.
What you get
- 5 chapters of short lessons, at your own pace
- A certificate for 15 hours of professional development when you finish
- A Participant Workbook (your Leadership Journal) and a guide to the research behind each module, both to download
- Free access to the Leaders’ Circle, our online community for school leaders
- Watch on any device, whenever suits you
$75
Enrol nowSecure checkout · 14-day refund · Start straight away · Certificate of completion
Curriculum
What you will learn
5 chapters · 20 lessons and activities
Chapter 1: Thinking Whole-School
- Welcome and How This Course Works
- From Team to Whole School
- Understanding Your School as a System
- Communicating and Being Visible as a Senior Leader
Chapter 2: Strategy and Improvement
- Reading the Data and Setting Priorities
- Writing an Improvement Plan That Works
- Leading Change Across a School
- Leading Teaching and Professional Learning Across the School
Chapter 3: Leading Leaders
- Line Managing Middle Leaders
- Holding Others to Account Fairly
- Building a Senior Team
Chapter 4: Governance, Finance and Operations
- Working With Governors and Owners
- Budgets and Resources
- Policies, Compliance and Safeguarding
- Timetable, Staffing and the School Calendar
Chapter 5: Your Leadership Career
- Applying and Interviewing for Senior Roles
- Your First 100 Days as a Senior Leader
- Sustaining Yourself in Senior Leadership
- Knowledge Check
- Your Senior Leadership Plan and Certificate
Your course leader
Why I made this course
I’m Jacques Tredoux. I’ve worked in schools for more than twenty years, led schools in three countries and chaired international accreditation visiting teams. Too many good teachers are promoted into leadership and left to work it out alone. I built this course from real situations in real schools, so every lesson gives you something you can use on Monday.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How does the course work?
It is a self-paced online course on our learning platform. You can start straight away and work through the 5 chapters at a pace that suits you, on a laptop, tablet or phone.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. When you finish, you receive a certificate for 15 hours of professional development to add to your CPD record.
Can I try it before I buy?
Yes. Watch the trailer at the top of this page, or download our free sample lesson to see how a Northbeam lesson works.
Can I buy it for my team?
Yes. School licences give a group of staff the same course with one invoice and a certificate for each person. See our school licences page or contact us for a quote.
What if it is not right for me?
Email us within 14 days of buying and we will refund you in full.
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Free download
The Middle Leader’s First 90 Days
A practical checklist for new heads of department, year leaders and team leaders: three phases to work through, from listening and learning in your first 30 days to leading your first improvement by day 90.
Download it straight away. We will also send you a quick email to confirm your address. Once you confirm, you get a copy of the checklist and four short follow-up tips over the next ten days. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Start this week
Self-paced, practical and certified. Enrol today for $75, or train a whole team with a school licence.
Secure checkout · 14-day refund · Start straight away · Certificate of completion