Church School Leadership PGCert

This programme offers an important opportunity nationally to gain a professional qualification in Church school leadership

It is designed not only for those currently in leadership positions in Church schools, but also for those aspiring to leadership, teachers and educationalists, as well as school governors other professionals involved in any of the various management roles within a school.

The course has been fully endorsed by the Church of England’s National Society for Promoting Religious Education and will be delivered by University staff with support from other experts in the field.

The course is open to graduates or the equivalent who are qualified teachers, or others who carry a professional responsibility for teaching, learning and professional development.

Normally applicants should be in-post, ideally within a Church school. However, applications will be considered from any suitably qualified person who has an interest in leading and managing in Church schools.

The course will be taught at the University of Worcester but there is an intention to offer teaching at conveniently located local centres if group sizes allow. All sessions are designed to take a practice-based approach that incorporates peer group and tutor-facilitated discussions and observations, practical activities, case studies and group led presentations. Your face-to-face learning will be supported with a dedicated area in a virtual learning environment (VLE), either Blackboard or Moodle, which will facilitate and extend networking and group collaboration.

Factfile
Entry requirements
Course content
Student views

When does the course begin?

The course begins in Autumn 2012

Study options

Taking your study further

The Postgraduate Certificate in Church School Leadership is worth 60 Masters level credits, equivalent to one third of a Masters degree. These credits are recognised by other universities and can be transferred into suitable Masters awards. If you would like to find out more about continuing your studies with the University of Worcester please contact Alison Clarke, CPD Coordinator for the Institute of Education:

Email: cpdeducation@worc.ac.uk

Telephone: 01905 855056

Get in touch

Please contact cpdeducation@worc.ac.uk for further information or to request an application form.

You will normally have one of the following:

A first or second-class Honours degree in a relevant subject area.
A wide range of relevant experience

If English is not your first language, you will be expected to have reached a sufficient standard on admission to the course (e.g. IELTS 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each element)

Modules

Leading and Managing in Church Schools (MEDD4028)
This module focuses on the distinctive nature of leadership and management within Church schools. The module encourages participants to reflect critically on the unique characteristics of the Church school, with its integral links to local church and community. It examines the concepts of spirituality, collaboration, change and resource management and their impact on the leadership of individuals, teams and organisations. It recognises that people are the most important resource in most organisations. Particular emphasis will be given to the concept of spiritual leadership and the development of value-based approaches to leading and managing in Church schools. Participants will have the opportunity to develop skills and qualities that can be applied within their own educational contexts to enhance and support decision making and leadership practice.
Autumn term 2012

Organisational Improvement through Action Research (MEDD4022)
This module requires participants to examine the context of the school as both a formal organisation (in terms of systems, structures, standards and procedures) and, arguably more importantly, to consider the informal aspects of organisation (in terms of cultures, values, beliefs, attitudes, leaderships styles and behaviours). This is a mixed-mode module with a limited amount of formal tutor input. Participants will be encouraged to identify and focus on an area for ‘improvement’ within their organisation.
Spring term 2013

Negotiated Learning (MEDD4007)
This module will take the form of an independent action research project. The project follows on from the previous modules and allows participants to implement and evaluate the proposal identified in the second module.
Individual or group seminars and tutorials to be arranged.

Assessment

Academic department

Institute of Education

“Our high quality programmes and innovative teaching methods prepare and train the very best professionals. Worcester graduates have made a huge difference in the fied of education.”
Professor Chris Robertson, Head of Institute

Employability

Postgraduate study will mark you out in today’s competitive job market, showing that you have enhanced knowledge in this subject area, as well as highlighting your ability to analyse, communicate and apply theory – all skills which are sought after by employers. An appreciation of the distinctives of Church schools and their ethos will be of benefit when applying for posts in such settings.