What has the leadership scholarship programme ever done for you…?
30 December, 2024, Fiona Moss
The answer to that is an awful lot if you ask our current and some of our previous Leadership programme scholars. Perhaps you lead RE/RME/RVE and are already working across a MAT, local area, region or in a national capacity, if so this is the programme for you! Read the thoughts of some of our current scholars and find out more.
Support…
The Culham St Gabriel’s Leadership Scholarship programme has key elements but is also designed to support and develop you in your own context. Sarah Dennis, Year 2 programme member, explains, ‘I joined the programme because I was running networking groups and wanted to support teachers better. I had friends who had completed the programme. I saw how many doors it opened for them to enhance their roles. I now run effective meetings and can point teachers to good opportunities. I run a cross-phase network, and I am now more confident talking to secondary teachers.’
We are keen that this programme supports leadership for all teachers in their different contexts. Carrie is currently on Year 1 of our programme, teaches in Wales and supports teachers in her local area. She says, ‘My mentor has been incredibly supportive, guiding me to set personal targets directly relevant to my work in RVE in Wales. The Culham St Gabriel’s leadership programme has been inclusive, allowing me to engage with and learn from other leaders, while exploring leadership strategies, research, and best practices in the subject that are relevant to my context. The course has been extremely rewarding, deepening my understanding of religious education nationally and internationally, and helping me build confidence and valuable connections’
Amy, also a primary school teacher, explained, ‘I was excited about the opportunity to develop my knowledge and skills within the world of RE! And be amongst a community of like-minded peers and leaders.’
Community…
The programme provides a community of people you can learn from including your mentor, the reading group leader and your colleagues on the programme. Several of our previous programme participants have gone on to do projects together.
Lorna John, head of RE at Oasis Coulsdon previous programme member says, ‘There is a supportive community of likeminded and passionate peers who share the journey with you and this provides opportunities for constructive discussion and networking.’
Development…
Claire Ramali, a previous programme member notes the transformation that the programme supported, ‘The leadership programme has been transformative for my professional practice and leadership journey. A direct consequence of the opportunities from the Culham St Gabriel’s programme means my work is having a wider impact on the subject community. The programme led me to join the AREIAC executive committee which has enabled me to work alongside other RE national advisors. The programme has also enabled me to support other RE leaders and share my knowledge and experience as others have done with me.’
Several members of the programme lead across a MAT. Natalie Parkin who leads RE across Outwood Grange notes the importance of seeing life outside of your own MAT, ‘From a personal perspective it has been great to meet with others who lead and are passionate about RE as you can very much get into a bubble in a MAT. Leading so many colleagues it has been really useful to have a sounding board to talk my ideas and dilemmas through with before acting on them, and connecting this to best practice in RE. It has also helped me to identity the areas I need to develop in my colleagues to enable them to deliver great RE.’
Research focus…
Jake is in year 2 of the programme, ‘I joined the Culham St Gabriel’s Leadership Programme to support me in my work furthering great RE beyond my classroom. The experience has been incredible—I’ve gained so much from the wisdom of my mentors and through thought-provoking discussions with inspiring peers. The programme has enhanced my confidence in engaging with academic reading and applying it to practice. I’m now particularly excited to complete my research and see how it will shape my leadership journey and contribution to RE.’
Alice took some time out between year 1 and 2 of the programme and describes the focus of her work on the programme, ‘…Stage 2 of the Leadership programme has enabled me to continue to develop my knowledge, skills and understanding of the assessment of our subject. I completed Stage 1 alongside my Farmington Scholarship two years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to continue to develop the assessment of a religion and worldviews approach. Being able to visit a primary school and discuss assessment with both teachers and students has given me a great insight into how we can assess students throughout their religion and worldviews journey. ‘
Differing views…
Through communities of practice, reading groups and work with their mentors participants have to listen to differing ideas and sometimes ideas they disagree with. Amy says, ‘I am eager to grow in the area of ‘research engagement’ as this is brand new to me. I understand the importance of broadening my understanding of contrasting views, opinions, and research from field experts. I am excited about deepening my disciplinary knowledge, especially in the philosophy sector.’