Archive Project: Leadership Improvement Grant

L.I.G.
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Project Description

Leadership Improvement Grant (LIG)

Artists in Warwickshire Education and the County Inspector for Art and Design supported a group of seven secondary schools in a creative partnership. The schools, defined by the DfES as facing challenging circumstances all receive the Leadership Improvement Grant (LIG). The intention was to enhance the individual and combined leadership and management skills of arts subject leaders in Warwickshire schools identified by the DFES as facing challenging circumstances (Leadership Improvement Grant schools) to influence systemic change in the leadership and management by middle managers in the Warwickshire LIG schools.

This project took teachers of a wide variety of subjects out of their comfort zone and introduced them to a more creative and practical approach to teaching. This was so successful that these teachers plan to use the technique independently in their teaching over the coming year.

 

In six out of seven schools, the project met its aim of enhancing management and leadership skills among middle managers of arts departments, especially heads of art and design.  The project produced evidence of growth in confidence and self-esteem, new and strengthened relationships with senior managers and staff, and ideas for a more creative approach.

 

Several senior managers saw potential in using the approach again and in a wider range of departments.  In one school the head of art approached non teaching staff to run the project and found that not only did the project establish an out of school animation club, but developed the skills and confidence of the staff asked to run it.

A celebration was held at the end of the project titled 'Just 7 minutes' - a presentation of creative partnership project work by the Warwickshire LIG Collaborative at Warwick Arts Centre.

 

Positive outcomes of the project for middle managers were identified as:

  • enhancing leadership skills
  • making connections with external agents
  • developing organisational, negotiation and communication skills
  • continuing or accelerating strong working relationships with senior managers or other middle managers
  • increasing confidence
  • enhancing skills and ideas
  • increasing awareness of the school's management structure
  • learning about other subject areas

 

 

Funders and Partners