Preparing to Lead Academic Departments - Tuesday 13 October 2026 (Francis Holland School, Sloane Square)

This course is for: Aspiring Heads of Academic Departments and Heads of Academic Departments-designate.

Description

Please note, Heads of Department already in post may wish to consider the Independent Schools’ Qualification in Academic Management (ISQAM) rather than this course, details of which can be found here. 

What will you gain by attending?: 

  • Understand the characteristics of excellent academic leadership 

  • Gain clarity on what is expected of a middle leader in an academic role 

  • Learn about the application, interview and recruitment process 

  • Understand how to make a successful transition to an academic middle leadership role 

  • Explore and discuss scenarios you are likely to face in an academic leadership role, and how to approach them in practice 

Course Programme

Time

Session

09:30 – 10.00

Arrival, registration, and coffee

10.00 – 10.05

Welcome and introduction

10.05 – 11.10

Session 1: Leadership

11.10 – 11.30

Refreshment break

11.30 – 12.30

Session 2: Scenarios

12.30 – 13.25

Lunch

13.25 - 14.00

Session 3: Expectations of a Head of Department: A Personal Reflection

Guest Speaker TBC 

14.00 – 14.20

Refreshment break

 

14.20 –15.35

Session 4: Strategy, interviews, and leading the team

15.35 – 15.55

Session 5: Lesson observations

15.55 –

16.00

Final comments, close and depart

Course Leader Biography: 

Alistair Hopkins has worked in education for over 20 years. He has worked in both the independent and state sector. He has been a head of department in two schools, a deputy head (academic) and a head. He has a degree in English Language and Literature and a Masters in Educational Leadership. Before becoming an English teacher, he was a journalist.  

Delegate Feedback:

"An excellent course delivered clearly and with enormously helpful information. "

"Great to look at actual scenarios that can (and likely will) happen, and have the opportunity to discuss my ideas with others to see if they actually match"

"I found the course very useful and it’s given me a much clearer idea of what it would mean to be a HoD and the sorts of questions I should be asking myself over the next year or so. Thank you."