Lessons learned from a decade of executive leadership
Jun 22, 2024
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Kathy Griffiths, CEO of the Aquinas Multi-Academy Trust, shares her decade-long journey in executive leadership, addressing the complexities of her role and the evolution of leadership in education. She emphasizes the importance of ethical practices and collaboration, alongside the need to invest in staff to inspire students. Griffiths also candidly discusses navigating challenges post-pandemic, the significance of emotional intelligence in leadership, and overcoming impostor syndrome, urging future leaders to embrace their unique paths with joy and resilience.
Kathy Griffiths emphasizes that effective educational leadership must prioritize student well-being and development above all other considerations.
The role of a CEO in a multi-academy trust involves balancing educational standards and compliance, adapting to each trust's unique context.
Griffiths identifies funding, recruitment, and retention as major challenges for educational leaders, necessitating a strategic yet compassionate approach.
Deep dives
Cathy Griffiths' Journey in Education
Cathy Griffiths shares her extensive experience in education, beginning her career as a secondary school teacher in inner London before moving to her current role as CEO of the Aquinas Trust. Initially, she did not aspire to be a headteacher, finding joy in teaching and progressing through roles such as head of department and deputy head. Her pivotal moment came when she was offered the chance to found a new Church of England secondary school, which led to the establishment of the Aquinas Trust in 2013. Griffiths reflects on the early chaotic days of the multi-academy trust movement, highlighting the challenges and responsibilities that came with it while emphasizing her commitment to education.
The Central Role of Education
Griffiths emphasizes that the core mission of any educational leader should focus on the well-being and development of students. She highlights the importance of grounding decisions in what truly benefits children and staff, rather than succumbing to a corporate-driven mindset. The mantra of 'life-transforming learning' encapsulates her approach to leadership, reinforcing the idea that the ultimate purpose of education is to deliver positive outcomes for young people. By maintaining this focus, Griffiths believes that challenges can be navigated effectively, regardless of external pressures.
Role of the CEO in Multi-Academy Trusts
The role of a CEO in a multi-academy trust is complex and varies significantly depending on the trust's makeup. Griffiths outlines her dual responsibilities, which include overseeing educational standards across multiple schools and ensuring compliance with legal and financial frameworks. While there is a growing consistency in CEO roles, she acknowledges that the unique nature of each trust influences how these responsibilities are executed. This requires a tailored approach, balancing the needs of individual schools with the overarching goals of the trust to foster high-quality education.
Challenges of Leadership
One of the most pressing challenges facing educational leaders today, according to Griffiths, is securing adequate funding while managing increasing student complexities. She also points to recruitment and retention as critical issues, emphasizing the necessity of keeping talented staff motivated during turbulent times. Furthermore, Griffiths acknowledges the emotional toll of dealing with societal issues and the pressures faced by teachers, who often bear the brunt of external frustrations. Addressing these challenges requires a strategic vision while maintaining the focus on the educational mission.
Guiding Principles for Effective Leadership
Griffiths articulates her guiding principles for effective leadership, which center on prioritizing students and fostering positive relationships within the educational community. She stresses the importance of authentic communication, recognizing the achievements of staff, and having the courage to make difficult decisions. Consistency in messaging and leading by example are paramount, as well as understanding when to provide support and when to allow others to take charge and thrive. Ultimately, being surrounded by a team of experts complements her leadership style, emphasizing the collaborative nature of effective educational leadership.
Episode 182: This week onThinking Deeply about Primary Education I'm joined by CEO of the Aquinas Multi-Academy Trust, Kathy Griffiths, for a thorough exploration of effective leadership and her experience of over a decade in executive leadership. As part of the chat we discuss...
What role does the CEO of a multi-academy trust perform and is it consistent across trusts?
What do you enjoy most about your role?
What are the greatest challenges?
What are your guiding principles for effective leadership?
What advice do you have for someone who might one day want to be a MAT CEO?
...and much, much more.
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If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.
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