Making the leadership leap with Dr Jill Berry

This week on Naylor's natter in association with the Teacher Development Trust I am in conversation with Dr Jill Berry.  Jill taught for 30 years carrying out seven different jobs in six different schools after beginning her teaching career as a secondary English specialist .  Since leaving headship in 2010, she has worked as an Associate for the National College for Teaching and Leadership, carried out a range of educational consultancy work and completed a part-time Doctorate in Education, researching the transition from deputy headship to headship.

Jill has been involved in #WomenEd, a network designed to support aspiring and serving women leaders in education, since its inception in 2012. She has conducted academic research on the development of the initiative with Dr Kay Fuller from Nottingham University; spoken at several #WomenEd events, and contributed a chapter to the #WomenEd book: ‘10% Braver – Inspiring Women to Lead Education’ (Sage 2019). 

Jill is an advocate for the opportunities presented by social media for networking and professional development, tweeting @jill berry102 and blogging jillberry102.blog

I discuss with Jill:

Could you tell listeners about your story? 30 years teaching, English specialist, 6 schools, masters, deputy headship and headship
In difficult turbulent times in education and the world, why would anyone want to make the leap into leadership?
Do good teachers automatically make good leaders?
Should good leaders always be promoted out of the classroom?
Should experience be a factor in any promotion or does enthusiasm count for more than knowledge?
What are the key principles for anyone who is thinking of applying for leadership or headship?
Having been appointed to a new position in a different school, what are the challenges of the period between appointment and formally taking up the role?
People talk about the crucial first 100 days in a new job, what are the challenges of the early months in post?
Once you become established in the new leadership position , how do you move beyond being the new leader?
How important is the ECF in recognising the leadership role of mentors and coaches

Her book, ‘Making the Leap: Moving from Deputy to Head’, was published by Crown House .

TDT Section 

In the TDT section , Maria and Ian talk about the transformational power of the CPD audit and the bespoke guidance given to schools . This work is something that I am fully involved in . Maria also talks about the TDT framework and the potential for enhancing subject specific CPD , she uses examples from very effective schools in this area. 

In the shameless plugs section:

I am delighted to have become a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching , This is something that means a huge deal to me and I am so appreciative of the opportunity to highlight the work of the College. I feel passionately that as a classroom teacher , I have a voice to influence the future of our profession.

Thank you also to TeacherTap for featuring my blog  'A Routine Matter' last week. I really enjoy writing and I must find time to write more, I really appreciate the recognition as I know how picky they are. Thanks also to Phil Brown for his input here.

Lead Learn Lancs draws ever closer , 12th October . You can see me (if you want to) in session 1 talking about how we are using research and evidence to change culture in schools. 

rED Blackpool has now tipped over the 600 ticket mark and we may have to start thinking about capping this so stay tuned!

Dame Alison Peacock next week.