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NCSL and KnowledgePool design blended learning for Diploma in School Business Management
UK's first professionally accredited training for school leaders
9th December 2003
Following on the success of the learning solution developed for school bursars and subsequent award for Blended Solution of the Year 2003, KnowledgePool, the worldwide learning solutions provider has again been appointed by the National College of School Leadership (NCSL) as principal contractor to design and deliver the UK's first Diploma programme in school business management - the NCSL Bursar Development Programme Certificate of School Business Management (CSBM).
The Diploma programme comprises three face to face workshops, up to seven hours of scenario-based and interactive e-Learning study material delivered via the College's Virtual Learning Environment, and numerous practical, on the job assignments. The scenario-based element of the programme elevates e-Learning to another dimension by following a Socratic approach to learning using realistic situations and role-play to encourage participants to reflect deeply on the issues raised, and to enable them to perceive and understand how theoretical principles relate to practical realities.
Funded by the DfES and designed primarily for existing school managers and bursars who seek to further their careers in school management, the pilot programme will be accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), allowing participants to count credits from the Diploma course towards the ILM level 5 Executive Diploma in Management. The content of the Diploma programme will also be fully and independently evaluated against agreed criteria.
NCSL provides career-long learning and development opportunities for school leaders including head teachers, bursars and subject leaders and is now actively working with KnowledgePool to develop quality content for the Diploma in School Business Management. The content includes professional and administrative skills training; change management; quality management and strategic management skills.
The successful rollout of a pilot programme during which the learning objectives; outcomes and measurement for the programme were established and agreed, helped to create a robust design blueprint to meet organisational, functional and personal needs. The final course content development follows extensive research and benchmarking with input from organisations such as the National Bursars Association.
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"This programme is a perfect example of blended learning. The hype surrounding this topic threatens to bury the true benefits it offers. The reality is simple - adopt whichever learning methodologies are the most appropriate, integrate them effectively, and deliver the modules in the right sequence to ensure the desired outcomes are achieved." Michael Copestake, managing director, KnowledgePool |
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"KnowledgePool have again demonstrated their considerable skills; flexibility and learning experience and we are pleased to entrust this significant programme into their charge. Bursars and school managers play an increasingly critical role as resource managers for schools and colleges and we feel it is important for them to gain industry-recognised, accredited qualifications in respect of their role whilst at the same time making a valuable contribution to their ongoing professional development". Trevor Summerson, project manager at NCSL |
About the National College for School Leadership
The National College for School leadership offers opportunities to develop the potential of school leaders at every level and to enable their schools to work collaboratively with other schools.
The College's Learning and Conference Centre in Nottingham, opened by the Prime Minister in October 2002, is the focus for many of its activities. but NCSL programmes can also be accessed around the country through its network of nine affiliated centres.
NCSL programmes fit around teachers' busy schedules, with much of the studying done at home or in school, often via the Internet. Over half the headteachers in England took part in NCSL activities in the year to March 2003.
Participants can also communicate with each other via the college's popular online communities, which now have over 26,000 members.
The College's aims are to:
- provide a single national focus for school leadership development, research and innovation
- be a driving force for world class leadership in our schools and the wider community
- provide support to and be a major resource for school leaders
- stimulate national and international debate on leadership issues
