Senior Leadership Programme – University of Winchester

When I took on my role, I was faced with leading a department through significant changes, such as government policy updates and restructured teacher training programs. We had to rewrite the degrees and reapply to run teacher training programs. I had been working on instinct and intuition, but I wanted to better understand what was effective in my approach and why, as well as identify areas that weren’t landing well. I also recognized gaps in my management knowledge, as the only management training I had was from 1993.

“The training gave me the confidence to understand why my strategies work and how to apply them more effectively.”

I chose to enroll in the course with InPD because I needed to fill the gaps in my leadership and management knowledge. I was looking for a way to better understand my strategies and actions, as well as gain more research-informed insight into leadership practices, particularly in a university environment. This training offered an opportunity to challenge my thinking, gain exposure to new models, and refine my leadership approach.

“Working with professionals from outside education gave me fresh perspectives on familiar leadership models.”

The approach was highly engaging and challenging. I appreciated the balance between familiar concepts and fresh perspectives. Working with professionals from outside of education was valuable because it exposed me to different ways of thinking. The trainer was skilled at pushing us to think critically and challenged our assumptions. I also benefited from learning new models and frameworks, like the PESTLE analysis, which helped me see our work through a broader lens and apply it effectively to our educational context.

“InPD’s course helped me move from relying on instinct to using proven leadership models that I can confidently apply.”

InPD brought immense value by providing me with a research-informed and structured approach to leadership, which I had been missing. The course helped me move from relying on instinct to utilizing proven models and strategies that have been tried and tested. It also helped me build confidence in my decision-making, knowing why certain approaches work and how to apply them in different situations. I now have a much clearer understanding of leadership and management practices, which has made me more effective in my role.

“The PESTLE model was a game-changer – it helped me see our work through a broader lens and identify new opportunities.”

• Confidence and Efficiency: I am now more confident and efficient in my leadership decisions, knowing why my approaches work and when to apply them.

• The Importance of Vision: I now understand the critical importance of starting with a clear vision, and this has been especially valuable as we restructure the department.

• Equipping the Team: The training helped me equip my team with leadership tools, ensuring that academics who find themselves in leadership positions have the support and knowledge they need to succeed.

“I now feel equipped to coach my team and run more effective meetings, which has already improved our department’s performance.”