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Middle Leadership Development Programme details

The Middle Leadership Development Programme (MLDP) trains facilitators to deliver a professional development programme to middle leaders within their group (cluster).

The programme consists of two main phases:

  1. We train facilitators to deliver the programme.
  2. Facilitators deliver the programme to middle leaders within their cluster.

Facilitator training

The facilitator training comprises a four-day residential training event. Following this, facilitators are able deliver the programme to middle leaders within their cluster.

Six months after their training, facilitators must attend a two-day assessment to gain accreditation as an MLDP cluster facilitator.

Facilitators' learning on the programme can contribute Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points towards a Master's level degree. Find out more.

Middle leadership development

Participating middle leaders will attend approximately five face-to-face sessions, which will be delivered flexibly to meet the needs of the cluster. They will also undertake individual work, including:

  • a leadership challenge (project work on developing the skills needed to lead the closure of a gap in achievement within their own school)
  • working with a leadership coach who will support the participants throughout the programme

The programme supports middle leaders in becoming highly effective leaders of teaching and learning by developing their knowledge of:

  • teaching and learning in their schools
  • the leadership of teaching and learning
  • the leadership skills needed to close achievement gaps

We provide activities and support modules and materials, including e-learning activities and access to cutting edge research and think pieces written especially for the programme. With these materials, each cluster will have the flexibility to adapt the model to their own context and needs.

Particpants' learning on the programme can contribute Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points towards a Master's level degree. Find out more.

Other key roles

There are several other key roles that need to be in place in each cluster.

Lead organisation
Each cluster must identify a lead school to act as the point of contact for the duration of the programme.

Learning coach
The learning coach will be expected to attend a half-day training session given by the facilitators and to work with the facilitators to prepare for the role. They should be from the same school as the participant they are supporting.

Headteacher
Headteachers of individual schools within a cluster have a very important support role for their staff who are participating in MLDP. A headteacher should:

  • ensure sufficient time is made available to participants, learning coaches and if applicable facilitators in order for them to fully participate in MLDP
  • support participants in forming and completing a leadership challenge, enabling participants and providing development opportunities
  • ensure a learning coach is available for each participant
  • engage as appropriate in triangulated support of participants with the learning coach and a facilitator
  • sign off the participants' leadership challenge

Whole programme model