SEND Leadership Programme 2019-2020 Evaluation

NDTi’s research and evaluation team conducted an evaluation of the Leadership Programme, which aims to provide an independent assessment of the effectiveness of the programme against its stated objectives.

Findings from the evaluation of the 2019-20 Leadership Programme are overwhelmingly positive. Participants are overall very satisfied with the course and feel their leadership knowledge and skills have improved. The scale of the challenges felt by SEND professionals in delivering the reform agenda should be noted, especially in the current COVID-19 context, and there is no doubt that participants feel there is real value and need for this kind of Programme. Some participants said that while they have been on management courses before, none have been as different, creative and inspiring as this one.

Feedback from participant and alumni suggests that the key ingredients are the rich, topic-based sessions, the quality and diversity of the external presenters, the opportunity for building networks and the safe and authentic space for personal growth and development engineered by the facilitation team. In particular, the opportunity for self-reflection and reinvigoration were highlighted as important features of the programme. While limited time has passed since the course, and the COVID-19 response has significantly affected the immediate context, there is evidence that the programme is having a positive impact on the leadership skills of participants, and their ability to deliver reforms. This is particularly seen around leaders having a renewed sense of confidence in their work and being equipped with the necessary skills and tools to elevate the reform and inclusion agenda within their workplaces.

Download and read the report in full here