Attracting, Sustaining and Developing Middle Leaders in English Further Education

From November 2021 to February 2022, Dr Kevin Richardson led a research project funded by the Association of Colleges (AoC), which investigated the leadership experience and professional development needs of middle leaders in English Further Education colleges. The research focussed upon three categories of learner facing middle leaders; curriculum team leaders, learner services/learner support team leaders and MIS team leaders.

The research looked at thee range of the existing leadership development provision (both accredited and non-accredited) and the data was used to assess how the leadership development needs of this key strata of leaders were being served, with a view to influencing the future shape, volume and quality of the provision in the future.

Supported by Dr Richardson's final project report published in March 2022, the AoC have now developed a training programme for early career and experienced middle managers.

Kevin Richardson is a member of the Centre for Research in Educational Leadership and Management.