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About the seminars

The seminar series plays a key part in our research and policy activity by:

• identifying current and significant themes for enquiry and exploring them with key individuals and groups
• respecting the knowledge and practice of school leaders
• providing a dynamic forum for dialogue
• bringing together theory and practice to create new understanding that is relevant to schools and policy development
• developing processes to ensure that new understanding is widely available for application

Format

As Leading Practice seminars develop from the knowledge and interests of those attending, the structure of events varies, but will typically involve:

• a presentation by leading professionals and/or academics
• interactive workshop activity, typically in groups of 8-12
• group discussions

School leader input is vital to the day and some workshops will be facilitated or led by a school leader.

Seminars normally run from 9.30am (registration) with a 10.00am start and 3.30pm finish. Any alterations to the format of the day will be publicised on the website and you will be notified with your emailed joining instructions.

Principles

We have a commitment to build from the best of what is known to create new understanding. To that end, we will structure the seminar programme to give respect to three fields of knowledge and ensure that we:

• learn from and with practitioners – their significant practice, their perspectives on current experience or problems, their accumulated understanding and insights from prior experience and their enthusiasm
• use national and international theory and research to frame, support, structure, illuminate or challenge the knowledge and thinking that school leaders bring
• employ processes that enrich the dialogue between practitioners and researchers and provide opportunities for collaborative work to create new insights and understanding

In addition, we are committed to ensuring that seminars are not stand-alone events, but form part of an ongoing process to inform NCSL work, leadership learning, or practice in schools, with pupil learning as a focus.

The programme is built around the College's four corporate goals:

• transform children's achievement and well-being through excellent school leadership
• develop leadership within and beyond the school
• identify and grow tomorrow's leaders
• create a fit-for-purpose, national College

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