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Distributed Leadership

Distributed and learning-centred leadership: two sides of the same coin?

In order to thoroughly explore what learning-centred leadership looks like in action, we need first to understand distributed leadership.

School leadership is a function that needs to be distributed throughout the school community. Yet schools do not simply need lots of leaders working individually.

Distributed leadership means that there should be:

• lots of leaders, at all levels
• lots of learning-centred leaders

It also needs to be:

• developed
• co-ordinated
• team-based

Distributed leadership does not happen by accident, it has to be designed. It requires heads and deputies to let go of some of their responsibilities. It also requires them to mentor and coach the emerging leaders.

There is an interdependence between the two which means it is only when leadership is shared, it is truly learning-centred.

NCSL is exploring distributed leadership. Find out more about this work at: www.ncsl.org.uk/distributedleadership