Highland Leadership Developments.

Around 50 staff in The Highland Council’s Care and Learning Service have recently completed training programmes aimed at encouraging generic leadership skills.

Bernadette Cairns, Head of Additional Support Services with Highland Council Care and Learning Service welcomed participants to a presentation day held in Dingwall on Saturday 5 December. Beth Brown, Quality Improvement Manager also attended and presented certificates.

Congratulating staff on their achievements Bernadette Cairns said: “We are delighted that the Scottish College for Educational Leadership have endorsed these courses, in recognition of their high quality.”

The courses followed by staff addressed such leadership issues as resistance to change, helps and hindrances to change, support required during the change process and the consideration of the effectiveness of different leadership styles.

Research shows that coaching in education has had a positive effect on leadership skills, communication, learning and teaching, stress reduction, resilience and empowerment. Coaching approaches to leadership are very effective. The “Coaching” and “Mentoring” programmes, also run by Highland Council Care and Learning staff, support the development of these leadership skills in the participants.

All courses provide an opportunity for practitioners to reflect on their existing/developing leadership skills in their current position. They have an opportunity to work with colleagues to develop and lead a project in their own establishment by reflecting on a number of change models.

Participants were presented with The General Teaching Council for Scotland Professional Recognition Awards for ‘Lead On’, ‘Mentoring’ or ‘Coaching’.

Bill Alexander Director of Care and Learning Service said: “These have been excellent courses and all participants have shown huge commitment undertaking this professional development alongside their other work.”

Jim Steven, Head of Education added: “I was delighted to learn about the excellent projects these talented colleagues have taken forward following their participation in the Leadership courses. Their initiative, enthusiasm and dedication was very impressive.”

Staff from 45 schools, Area Learning Support Teams and Pupil Support Services attended the Leadership Showcase at Dingwall.

Staff attended the event from the Council’s Additional Support Needs Team and the following schools:

• Abernethy & Deshar
• Alness Academy
• Aviemore Primary
• Ballachulish Primary
• Bishop Eden Primary
• Bonar Bridge & Edderton
• Cauldeen Primary
• Central Primary
• Charleston Academy
• Culloden Academy
• Dingwall Academy
• Dochgarroch, Teanassie
• Drummond
• Farr Primary
• Fortrose Academy
• Golspie High
• Grantown Primary
• Hilton of Cadboll Primary
• Holm Primary
• Inshes Primary
• Inver & Knockbreck (Tain)
• Kinlochleven High
• Kirkhill Primary
• Merkinch Primary
• Mount Pleasant Primary
• North Kessock Primary
• North (Wick) Primary
• Plockton High
• Strathpeffer Primary
• The Bridge
• Thrumster & Watten
• Ullapool High