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8 relationship with SQH
"My study in the SQH programme gave me not only the opportunity and motivation, but the support and challenge necessary to engage in a programme of professional study and to begin to move towards a deeper understanding of both the theory and practice of school management." Headteacher |
The flexible approach should not be seen as completely separate from existing SQH programmes and consortia. Both approaches are aimed at ensuring that teachers demonstrate professional practice consistent with the Standard for Headship ( SfH). There may be areas of overlap and opportunities for existing SQH providers to be involved. Candidates following a flexible approach will have the option to access those parts of SQH programmes that best meet their needs.
Similarly, existing providers may wish to respond to the flexible approach by creating new opportunities for candidates, either on their own or in different combinations with new providers.
There should be opportunities for candidates on both routes to network with each other and benefit from shared experiences. One of the acknowledged strengths of the existing SQH programme is the creation of learning cohorts - peers who work together on learning projects and reflect upon and share experience. The creation of and participation in equivalent cohorts or learning groups will be a feature of the flexible approach.
The emphasis in the flexible approach around experiential learning combined with established and new development programmes raises a number of issues concerning ways that flexibility and choice can be offered to individuals while maintaining overall quality, and an appropriate balance and rigour of approach. In this regard it is vital that there are clear relationships with the existing SQH assessment structures through, e.g. the use of field assessors with SQH experience, or by SQH involvement on the Assessment Board.
Question
To what extent would it be feasible to dovetail the delivery and assessment structures established by the existing SQH providers and those envisaged in this paper for the proposed flexible approaches?
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