Best Practice

A five-step process for leading change in schools

Implementing a new approach or leading change is one of the most challenging aspects of leadership in schools. John Smith sets out a five-step process that will give you the best chance of success
Change ahead: The Greek philosopher Heraclitus is credited with saying that 'change is the only constant in life' - Adobe Stock

It is the Greek philosopher Heraclitus who is credited with saying that “change is the only constant in life”.

Whether in response to national policy development or internal data analysis, senior leadership teams will always be in the business of managing change.

As Professor Becky Francis put it in the updated implementation guidance from the Education Endowment Foundation (2024), “...ultimately, it’s not just what you implement, but how you do it too”.

Here are five tactics to consider when implementing change in your setting.

 

1, Hang the frame: Starting with ‘why’

It may seem obvious, but all too often the importance of this first step is forgotten in the busy creation of timelines, staging posts, KPIs and everything else that goes with the implementation of change.

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