EDM202: Future Leaders in Education

Module code: EDM202

Module provider: Institute of Education

Credits: 20

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Jo Anna Reed Johnson , email: j.a.reedjohnson@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 29 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will equip students with the tools to critically evaluate policy and practice and develop models of sustainable leadership in education.  Different policy agendas and institutional approaches will be examined in this module.  Reflection will be supported through engaging and reflecting upon the views of a range of ‘expert witnesses’ with varying levels of educational and / or political authority.

A variety of theoretical models of leadership will be discussed and how these models might apply in practice.

The module will explore the moral and ethical aspects of leadership in terms of their own personal professional identities as a leader in education. In exploring identities, it will consider socialisation and diversity within the landscape of leadership in education.

Change and its impact, and how leaders respond to this are key drivers in terms of the new dynamics in which educational organisations need to operate, with the added dimensions of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA), will be explored.

An understanding of leading and managing change, understanding the complexities of teamwork and collaboration will be developed.  The ways in which educational leaders can consider the triple bottom line when planning change and engaging others in professional development will be considered.

By drawing on current research evidence, critically reflecting on own practice or experiences, and being able to draw on empirical research, it is expected that, on successful competition of this module, students will come to a better understanding of their own role and identity as an educational leader and manager, and how to deal with change and the complexities of that in this every changing landscape.This in turn will positively affect the institutions in which they work.

• To develop an understanding of the key concepts and issues related to educational leadership and management
• To critically examine the literature associated with educational leadership and management and relate this to professional practice
• To critically examine theories, frameworks and conceptual models of leadership and management from education, and elsewhere, and relate these to professional practice
• to understand leadership as a distributed notion, interactive within and between levels of policymaking
• To enable participants to reflect upon, and enhance, their own professional practice as educational leaders and managers

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts and issues surrounding educational leadership and management and how these relate to political, cultural and societal influences.
2. Critically examine the literature associated with educational leadership and management and relate this to professional practice.
3. Critically examine theories, frameworks and conceptual models of leadership and management from education and elsewhere and relate these to professional practice.
4. Reflect upon and enhance their own professional practice as educational leaders and managers.

Module content

Session 1 – Introduction to the nature of educational leadership and management

Session 2 - Exploring models of leadership, including considering sustainable leadership*

Session 3 - The ethical and moral dimension of educational leadership and management

Session 4 – Culture and identity in relation to ed