Leadership for Learning

This influence has been recognised by the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) in England, who working with school leaders at all stages of their professional development, seek to understand the ways in which leaders influence learning and teaching. The current emphasis in leadership studies is now focused on the ways in which school leaders can improve the quality of learning and teaching.

• The NCSL has identified a number of strategies and practices, such as distributed leadership and learning-centred leadership, that can help schools enhance learning and improve performance. The impact of these strategies is not just directed to student improvement in test scores but on the students' learning capability.

Summary

• The key theme of the short course is that leadership at all levels of the school matters in enhancing student learning. Distributed leadership and learning-centred leadership are important concepts for leaders in helping improve learning and teaching in classrooms and schools.
• In the past there has been an obsession in the literature with the leadership role of head teachers/principals, and little attention has been given to other staff with leadership and management responsibilities. Today as a result of decentralisation and restructuring many teachers have significant such responsibilities. These teachers have a key influence on the quality of learning and teaching.

Overview

• Leadership at all levels of the school matters in enhancing student learning, helping improve learning and teaching in classrooms and schools.

Sustainability at Ulster

• Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.
• At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.
• We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Our work in this area is already being recognised globally.  Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17:  Partnership for the Goals.
• Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.