Education Leaders | Strategic School Leadership

This episode is supported by the University of Warwick's Centre for Teacher Education. Click here to learn more.I explore and question our growing reliance on consultants. With the sector experiencing significant changes, from the integration of AI to shifts in educational models, I reflect on whether this reliance is coming at a cost to our professional integrity. I share observations on the dual role of educational consultants: providing valuable expertise and perspectives to help schools navigate complex decisions while potentially fostering a dependency that could impede the development of internal knowledge and decision-making capabilities. Drawing from personal experiences and industry insights, I note a trend of short-lived implementations and a cycle of change with each new leadership transition, raising concerns about the sustainability of such practices. The conversation shifts towards advocating for a coaching model for whole school development, akin to organisational development coaching in the business sector. This model aims to empower schools to tap into their internal knowledge and insights, promoting a more sustainable and autonomous approach to school development. Key Quotes"International education is evolving at a breakneck pace... But as a result, have we become a little too reliant on consultants?""Every consultant I know has great intentions... but I'm curious as to whether the amount of consultants we have in education is a good thing.""If we manage to solve our challenges internally, we're creating a more sustainable and empowered strategy deployment in the long run.""Our organisations and schools are full of people, full of knowledge, full of insights. Most challenges should be able to be solved internally.""While consultants have their place and will always have their place, the future of our school development lies in empowering the educators and leaders to harness their own collective wisdom." ReferencesDiscussion with Aaron Hamilton on de-implementation Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning is a passionate organisational development coach with over 14 years of international teaching and leadership experience. His approach to coaching and professional development is all about approachability and attentiveness to the unique strengths and contexts of schools and educators. Shane believes that empowerment fosters growth and success for both educators and students alike.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is supported by the University of Warwick's Centre for Teacher Education. Click here to learn more.In this episode, we unpack the nuanced role of middle leaders with Liz Benson. Liz, a visionary in the field with over two decades of experience, discusses the evolution of middle leadership, its complexities, and the need to celebrate its unique significance. Tune in to discover actionable strategies for bolstering middle leaders, learn about the five dimensions of Trust from Griffith University's research, and recognise the potency of advocacy and influence within your team. Episode Overview- Liz Benson's insights on middle leadership and the launch of her new book.- Understanding Middle Leadership Contexts — Liz emphasizes the crucial role of middle leaders and the senior leadership's responsibility to nurture them.- Practical Development Steps for Middle Leaders — On-the-job learning and the benefit of mutual accountability.- Cultural Transformation Through Conversations — The value of coaching and fostering a solid research foundation.- Networking and Professional Growth — Liz advocates for middle leaders extending their influence beyond their own schools.- Middle Leadership Agency — Shane and Liz talk about empowering middle leaders to enhance recruitment and retention of quality educators.- Trust and Influence — Exploring the specific skills needed by middle leaders and the research backing their importance.- Amplifying Middle Leaders — Liz discusses her efforts in elevating middle leader voices through multiple platforms.- A reflection on the importance of middle leadership and the shift in how their roles are perceived and valued. Resources- Liz Benson's Book, "Middle Leadership in Schools"- Griffith University Research on the Five Dimensions of Trust Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com. About the hostShane Leaning is a passionate organisational development coach with over 14 years of international teaching and leadership experience. His approach to coaching and professional development is all about approachability and attentiveness to the unique strengths and contexts of schools and educators. Shane believes that empowerment fosters growth and success for both educators and students alike.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is supported by the University of Warwick's Centre for Teacher Education. Click here to learn more.In revisiting my 2017 TEDx talk on the importance of home languages in global education, I delve into why nurturing native languages remains crucial. Sharing personal stories and insights, I highlight the cognitive and emotional benefits of bilingualism, particularly in a global context. Through examples like a Korean student's experience in China and policy shifts in Hong Kong, I advocate for a balanced language learning approach that integrates cultural and linguistic heritage.Key Quotes "Use a word 10 times and it shall be yours for life." - Highlighting the misconception of language acquisition through mere repetition."Our mother tongues are an essential part of our thinking minds and identities." - Emphasising the intrinsic value of home languages."Most children around the world attend schools which teach in a language different to their mother tongue." - On the prevalence of cross-linguistic education."The tips of the icebergs represent the surface features of our languages...they're connected under the water." - Describing the dual iceberg model of bilingualism."Review, read, relax." - Proposing a three-step approach to nurturing bilingual children.Click here to watch the original TEDx Talk online.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com. About the hostShane Leaning is a passionate organisational development coach with over 14 years of international teaching and leadership experience. His approach to coaching and professional development is all about approachability and attentiveness to the unique strengths and contexts of schools and educators. Shane believes that empowerment fosters growth and success for both educators and students alike.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is supported by the University of Warwick's Centre for Teacher Education. Click here to learn more.In this episode I sit down with the esteemed John Gwyn Jones MBE to delve into the dynamic world of international education and leadership. John provides invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of managing diversity and cultural differences in schools across Asia. Drawing on his extensive experience, we explore the rapidly evolving landscape of British international schools, touching upon vital topics such as inclusivity and the global influence of the UK's education system. John's perspective illuminates the significance of community and collaboration, factors that remain crucial in the constantly shifting terrain of international education. Overview- Introduction and background of John Gwyn Jones’s career within international education.- The evolution of British international schools and the UK curriculum's global impact.- Addressing diversity and cultural differences in schooling systems, particularly in Asia.- Examination of FOBISIA’s role in supporting British international schools in the region.- The benefits and challenges faced by teachers working in international schools, especially when considering returning to the UK.- The shift towards virtual and hybrid learning methods as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.- The strategies for fostering a sense of community and belonging within the FOBISIA network.- The growth of FOBISIA beyond Asia, indicating the increasing demand for British education around the globe.- The future of education technology and the hybrid model of schooling post-COVID.- John’s vision for international schools and the role of FOBISIA in leading innovation and supporting educators. Learn more about FOBISIA here.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com. For international school leadership tips, subscribe to my newsletter here. About the hostShane Leaning is a passionate organisational development coach with over 14 years of international teaching and leadership experience. His approach to coaching and professional development is all about approachability and attentiveness to the unique strengths and contexts of schools and educators. Shane believes that empowerment fosters growth and success for both educators and students alike.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a recording of the latest Global Ed Leaders LIVE X Space where we took a deep dive into the multifaceted realm of accountability in international schools, exploring the tug-of-war between educational integrity and corporate influence. Joined by Dan Rosen and a host of experienced voices in the field, we peeled back the layers of what accountability means in an environment where diverse cultural contexts and business models coexist. We tackled the gritty details of how international schools navigate the complex web of governing boards, IB guidelines, and the often elusive quest for balance between profit and pedagogy.Venturing beyond the confines of formal accountability frameworks, we proposed a compelling perspective: Are the guardians of these educational institutions primarily accountable to themselves? We grappled with the enigma of 'whizbang' schooling and its resilience amidst privileged environments.The conversation culminated in a call to action; recognising the instrumental role that leaders hold in cultivating potent teaching forces, and ultimately, in defining and delivering on a school's core purpose.This frank exchange left us with more questions than answers—a hallmark of a truly reflective discussion on school accountability that resonates with the complexity of international schooling.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exploring effective professional development in international schools through the Education Endowment Foundation's 14 mechanisms, with a focus on gamifying PD. Additional mechanisms cater to unique challenges in international schools for sustainable improvement.

GUEST EPISODEWelcome to the Principled podcast.In this episode, Matt Hall and Naomi Ward of Making Stuff Better are joined by Shane Leaning, international school leadership and organisational development coach, and creator and host of the Global Ed Leaders podcast for leaders shaping education on a global scale.They discuss cultural differences in communication, decision making, authority and criticism; lessons from a valuable and little-known resource; and the power of a coaching-style approach to leadership. How can we foster organisational health in international schools where cultural differences might result in vastly different approaches to crucial elements such as decision making or authority? What measures can we implement to overcome barriers presented by these differences? And how powerful can adaptability and curiosity really be?Resource mentioned in episode: Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters: https://www.coe.int/en/web/autobiography-intercultural-encounters --------------------------------------To get in touch with Shane, you can find him online here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leaningshane/Website: https://www.shaneleaning.com/Global Ed Leaders Podcast: https://www.shaneleaning.com/podcastJoin Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arran Hamilton, Author and Group Director of Education at Cognition Education, discusses the concept of doing less to achieve more in education. He highlights the process of de-implementation in schools, emphasizing the need to prioritize high-impact initiatives. The conversation explores the challenges of unlearning ingrained practices and offers valuable guidance for school leaders seeking to streamline their practices for better outcomes.

This is a recording of Global Ed Leaders LIVE, a live Space hosted every week on X. Our theme this week focused on the relevance of music education in schools. I was delighted to co-host with Dan Guerrard, and we were joined by some outstanding voices from across the world.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exploring the transformative role of social media in education, with a focus on X and LinkedIn. Discussing unique features, community dynamics, and meaningful interactions for educators. Highlighting the benefits of short interactions, hashtag conversations, and live audio spaces. Exploring the concept of an 'everything app' and the competition in the social media landscape.