by Dominic Broad, Director of Education, Thrive Education Partnership and host of The Olympic Mindset podcast
Change is an essential and ongoing part of education and always will be.
Sometimes, change hits us unexpectedly, and at other times, we can prepare. Either way, change and innovation are inevitable, and it's important that leaders are ready to adapt to new challenges and guide staff through periods of change as they arise.
During my career, I have led multiple schools as Assistant Head, Deputy Head, Headteacher and Governor, oversaw the development and rollout of a new national curriculum in Wales, led nationwide roll-outs on behalf of Pearson, Apple and Lego Education, and worked across mainstream Primary, Secondary and recently transitioned into the SEND sector. These experiences have given me vast and varied insights into how to navigate change, which I’ve brought together here.
Embrace a growth mindset
In education, having a growth mindset is not just beneficial—it's essential. This means being committed to continuous learning and staying research-informed across all areas of practice.
By prioritising ongoing professional development, leaders can stay ahead of emerging trends, adapt to new educational contexts, and make informed decisions.
This culture of learning should extend to all staff. When the entire school community embraces continuous learning, it fosters resilience, adaptability, and a shared commitment to excellence, all of which are vital in the face of change.
A growth mindset also helps innovation to thrive. Encourage creativity, and new ideas will come. Leaders should create safe spaces for experimentation. This might involve establishing innovation teams, allocating resources for pilot projects, or regularly showcasing creative teaching practices.
It's about cultivating a mindset that questions the status quo and seeks better solutions. This approach will give you and your school a strong foundation to face change head-on and seize the opportunities it can bring.
Be a collaborative leader
Collaboration is another cornerstone of my leadership style and an important skill when managing change. It starts with actively seeking input from all stakeholders so that you can tap into their crucial knowledge and insight and continues with open communication.
Staff are often fully aware of the challenges and opportunities within their schools and are the best people to help inform your decision-making processes.
Rather than holding leaders accountable for results, the focus should be on supportive collaboration to ensure successful outcomes. It's important to set manageable targets, but equally important to assist your team in achieving those targets. Striking a balance between autonomy and guidance and giving people the tools and skills they need to excel is crucial.
A collaborative approach fosters a shared responsibility and can help teams navigate change together.
Be a supportive leader
Support for your team should be important at any time, and having support structures in place is vital if you are experiencing a period of change. Transitions can be challenging and stressful, and prioritising wellbeing is critical.
Wellbeing support, mentorship, and supportive networks are all important in any professional environment because staff cannot do their jobs well if their mental and physical wellbeing is not part of the equation. These support mechanisms become even more important during times of uncertainty.
When big changes happen, such as during the pandemic, our existing support structure might not be enough. Occasions like these call for additional support. For example, at the Thrive Education Partnership, we formed a trauma and therapeutic team to address post-pandemic challenges.
Be flexible
There are always new challenges and opportunities in education, from technological advancements to societal changes, and flexibility is the key to overcoming difficulties and maximising opportunities.
During my career, I’ve had to adapt to several different roles and contexts—mainly through choice—and being flexible has helped me to do that.
Flexibility allows leaders to respond effectively to unexpected situations, such as an emergency relocation, as well as planned changes like a curriculum shift. Flexibility involves being open to new methodologies, being willing to adjust strategies based on evidence, and pivoting when circumstances change. Flexibility also means recognising that different challenges may require different approaches.
Leaders should cultivate flexibility in themselves and their teams to ensure their schools remain resilient and effective in any educational context.
Embrace new technologies
Technological change is essential to improving and modernising education, and tech-savvy teachers and school leaders will adapt more quickly to new challenges and opportunities.
There are many reasons for school leaders to embrace technology, not least because those who don't will inevitably get left behind. Technology allows us to stay up-to-date with the latest educational trends and innovations, enhances communication and collaboration, and helps us manage change processes more effectively.
For leaders, technology gives us access to data and analytics that can inform strategic planning and change initiatives. It also enables us to make data-driven decisions.
By embracing technology, leaders model the importance of adapting to change. And by leveraging technology, school leaders can create a more agile, informed, and connected educational environment better equipped to navigate future changes.
Lead the change
Change is the only constant in education, and leaders are pivotal in steering their institutions through this evolving landscape. By cultivating a growth mindset, fostering collaboration, prioritising wellbeing, embracing flexibility, and leveraging technology, educational leaders can create an adaptable culture that's not afraid of change.
Successful transitions involve more than implementing new strategies. They include empowering your team to adapt, learn, and grow together. Invest time in developing these attributes, and you'll discover resilience and innovation will follow.
