Building capacity within school is admirable and financially advantageous. It can lead to greater continuity in style and thought, as well as a career development pathway which in turn can lead to greater retention rates of faculty and operational staff.

This work needs to be very strategic, and as such it must be carefully planned with meaningful outcomes coupled with relevant and topical material,ensuring strong engagement and optimal learning. This is about putting into practice the best elements of adult learning and meeting their emerging needs.

The Education Consortium works with a number of associates in planning and delivering bespoke programs. Delivered onsite, virtually or as a combination of both to accommodate all participants, programs are designed to accommodate cultural differences as well as the school’s financial ability to fund such programs.

Our experience suggests that leadership retreats generally focus on two key areas. Firstly, the relationships within the group, centering on understanding and awareness of the impact of trust, reliance and teaming. Dealing with questions of:

• How can we support each other?

• How can we work most effectively as a team?

Secondly the retreat concentrates on the work that needs to be done, focusing on the questions:

• What needs to be done?

• How are we going to go about that?

• What resources and support do we need?

• How do we judge our success?

We believe that planning leadership retreats where there is focus on both the ‘What” and the “How” are the most effective. Careful pre-planning, and a commitment to listening to what your organisation needs ensures our approach provides maximum benefit.

Many leaders have reported that surveys or focus groups conducted by them personally do not provide the critical feedback they are seeking to help them grow or understand their impact on others. An increasing number of Heads of School who are seeking more genuine feedback engage an external education leadership consultant to undertake a performance review.

The Education Consortium consultant engages with a range of individuals that the Head of School has contact with in their role, with the aim to elicit feedback that can assist in gaining an understanding of their approach, style, and what is perceived as their priorities. The process collects feedback on what the Head of School does well, and potential areas for growth or refinement. Findings are synthesised into a narrative report, broadly following the Academy for International School Heads’ Leadership Standards, for the Head of School to share and act upon as they see fit.

Schools who are committed to best practice and continual improvement have found it valuable to engage us, as external consultants, to examine current school practices, systems and structures, providing critique and suggestions to improve their performance. In addition, we can develop a practical and sustainable model for ongoing evaluation of practices.

This work usually focuses on four key factors:

1. Efficiency and effectiveness of systems and structures in place around leadership, and teaching and learning

2. Leadership and faculty relations

3. Internal and external communications

4. Decision-making processes

The Education Consortium is happy to conduct a review either onsite or virtually based on aspects that may require attention or refinement.