The aims of the programme were to: • Develop an understanding of effective teaching and learning and how National and European policy defines it and enacts it. • Develop a deep understanding of what instructional leadership is, why it is important and what it looks like. • Understand how to foster a culture of highly effective teaching and learning practices in their school. • Support seniors leaders in embedding highly effective teaching and learning practices in their schools by developing their skills to lead teaching and learning. • Develop and share resources to support principals and deputy principals as instructional leaders. • Develop a deep understanding of reflective practice and the skills to engage in reflective practice. • Support the participants in developing a deep understanding of educational change and the skills to lead and manage instructional change.
In a discussion between (ILP/ETBI), Društvo Ravnatelj, Slovenia and NAPD the lack of support for principals and deputy principals as Instructional leaders was highlighted and the need for a programme of support was identified as a priority. ILP/ETBI in partnership with Društvo Ravnatelj, Slovenia made an application for funding to Léargas. We were successful in our application and received funding for the period January 2023 – June 2024. School leaders should be provided with professional learning opportunities on instructional leadership, on an ongoing basis, to help them develop and enhance their instructional knowledge and skills. To enhance their instructional leadership, communities of practice will provide opportunities for school principals to develop within this area (OECD, 2020). Despite the fact that support and training in the ongoing development of their knowledge and skills in leading learning is essential to their complex role, anecdotal evidence in both countries suggest that the support is not available to them. In response, and to address the OECD priorities the partners sought to develop a programme of professional learning aimed specifically at enhancing the core skills of principals and deputy principals.