Introduction

This award is of particular relevance to colleagues who are leading or managing, or aspire to be leading or managing, in the post-compulsory, adult education and lifelong learning sector.

Aims

  • To recognise individual progress, practice and professional achievement
  • To support individuals in their professional development as leaders in an educational context
  • To enhance leadership practice in educational contexts for the benefit of staff and students
  • To promote the development of a body of professionals with knowledge, skills and attributes to effectively lead, nurture and guide change and development in the sector.

Audience

Participants of this award may be from any profession or discipline in the sector, and from both academic and professional services. They will be able to demonstrate continuing professional development and scholarship in their core discipline(s) as well as in teaching and/or supporting learning. Participants of the award can use it to support and enhance their professional and leadership practice when aspiring to leadership responsibilities, or where they already occupy such roles.

Values

Award recipients will have shown how their work is informed by the SEDA Values:

  1. Developing understanding of how people learn
  2. Practicing in ways that are scholarly, professional and ethical
  3. Working with and developing learning communities
  4. Valuing diversity and promoting inclusivity
  5. Continually reflecting on practice to develop ourselves, others and processes.

Core development outcomes

Award recipients will be able to:

  1. Identify their own professional development goals, directions or priorities
  2. Plan for their initial and / or continuing professional development
  3. Undertake appropriate development activities
  4. Review their development and their practice, and the relations between them.

Specialist outcomes

Additionally award recipients will be able to:

  1. Explain leadership concepts and theory and analyse their own leadership style, skills and competencies in the light of these
  2. Show how their understanding of the contexts in which they work affects their leadership decisions at local, institutional, professional, regional and national level, and, where appropriate, international level
  3. Apply their skills and understanding within the workplace in order to influence and enhance team performance, development, decision taking, creativity and innovation
  4. Extend and enhance educational experiences in relevant professional/discipline/faculty areas evaluating their impact for both students and peers.

Named award co-ordinator

Ruth PilkingtonĀ ruth.pilkington1@btinternet.com