The Educational Leadership (Teach First) MA will explore and critique educational leadership and management theory, research and practice and encourage students to reflect on and challenge their own practice as educational leaders or managers. The course is a route on the MA Educational Leadership for students who have successfully completed the Teach First PGDE. Students from different routes will have some teaching delivered together.

About this degree

This programme covers a wide range of issues including: theories and practice of leadership; educational change and school improvement; and the social and policy contexts of leading schools.

The aims of the MA are to develop a body of knowledge to: a) inform students' comparative understanding of leadership and management in a range of educational settings including their own, and b) improve their understanding of institutional change and improvement. The use of analytical frameworks and insights from research findings will enable participants to reflect on key concepts, theories and models of leadership, management, policy and educational improvement and on their application to working environments and community contexts, including their own.

Teaching and learning

Teaching is delivered through face-to-face teaching, facilitation, multimedia presentations and activity-based learning. Each module is supported by materials on our virtual learning environment. The programme is assessed through coursework and the dissertation.

Careers

The Educational Leadership MA is a proven programme which our students have found to be invaluable in enhancing their current roles. A significant number have used both the skills and the qualification as a platform for career advancement. Typically they move into leadership positions within their selected phase of working. Subsequently many move on to headship or principalship. A smaller number elect to continue their exploration of education through doctoral studies.

Graduates of this programme are currently working across a broad range of areas. Some are working as principals/head teachers, while others have jobs in charitable organisations and social enterprises.

Employability

Though academic in focus the programme is practical in terms of application. Students develop skills in leading staff, working with teams, professional issues of supporting and challenging motivation, leading change, assessing research claims and developing research-engaged institutions. Wider philosophical and value stances are explored and these are particularly pertinent in working in a truly global context