This episode looks at how to be an effective line manager in the secondary school, offering practical advice, examples and strategies for middle and senior leaders who have line management responsibilities.

We chat with two experienced school leaders to discuss the golden rules and key skills required to be an effective line manager.

We look at the different type of line manage roles and identify the biggest challenges for line managers.

We focus specifically on appraisal – a key duty of line managers. We look at effective appraisal practice, supporting CPD, how to prepare for and have difficult conversations, and dos and don’ts for conducting lesson observations.

We also talk about effective quality assurance practice, including how line managers can act on the findings of QA processes.

And we discuss staff wellbeing, morale and workload – what can line managers do to protect staff wellbeing, build morale and to help keep workload under control and in check.