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Abstract
Gill is currently Chair of the British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society. Her personal experiences are central to her belief that education is the key to unlocking potential, both for individuals and for society as a whole. Throughout her career she has championed the right to good quality, inspirational education for all. She has always chosen to work in areas of multiple disadvantage and has a track record in working with schools, colleges and universities to improve leadership, learning and achievement. She has extensive experience in strategic leadership across the compulsory education sector as well as in further and higher education. Her leadership roles have included Local Authority Chief Education Adviser, Executive Director in two West Midlands Learning and Skills Councils and Executive Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) in a large modern university. She has directed and engaged in various research projects, mainly in the area of 14-19 education and was a member of the (Labour) Government’s 14-19 External Advisory group. As a strong supporter of educational collaboration she has led a number of Local Authority wide collaborative developments. With extensive board experience her roles have included: Deputy Chair of CILT, the National Centre for Languages; Chair of the YMCA’s national training organisation and board member of YMCA North Staffordshire.
Gill currently serves as Chair of Governors of a rapidly improving Secondary Academy in Stoke on Trent, a Governor of a village primary school and a member of Derby University’s Governing Council. She has recently taken over as new Chair of BELMAS.
She has recently taken over as the new Chair of BELMAS. Jacqueline Baxter asks her about her vision for the future of the organisation.
Gill’s involvement with BELMAS goes back some way as she explained:
‘When I first joined BELMAS I was co directing a research project on 14 -19 education, funded by the then Manpower Services Commission. What initially drew me to BELMAS was the opportunity to bring practitioners and researchers and academics together, particularly as I was working with middle leaders; BELMAS presented a valuable opportunity for practitioners and academics to come together to further their understanding and practice of educational leadership. At that time the Society was organised regionally, each region was responsible for its own programme of activity. For a while I was Chair of the Yorkshire and Humberside region, which was very active and we organised several well attended conferences and events. National conférence had quite a different feel from how it is today. It was usually held on a University campus and there was a rather more of an academic focus.’
And the future? What do you see as priorities for the organisation as you begin your two year tenure as Chair?
‘There is no doubt that a lot of fantastic work is being done by BELMAS members, but the organisation is not known widely enough. In my view, the bringing together of research and practice is the unique selling point of BELMAS. I don’t know any other organisation with a national or international reach that does this in such an inclusive way. BELMAS is a well-respected organisation at home and internationally and is a force for good in understanding and developing education leaders and leadership.’
‘It concerns me that at present much of the development for education leaders is largely focused on ‘this is the latest policy- here’s how to implement it,’ The Heads and Principals I work with are looking for something more - something that challenges their thinking about their purpose as education leaders. It’s my aim to create more opportunities to bring school and college leaders and academics into dialogue to encourage debate that permeates more widely and deeply. An Academy Principal I work closely with came to BELMAS Conference 2016 and she found it ‘challenging but stimulating and hugely productive,’ going on to say, ‘that it offered great opportunity to have wide ranging dialogue and to reflect on different perspectives.’ Such a dialogue can be exciting and energizing - we need to keep moving forward with our knowledge and practice of leadership if we are serious about improving educational opportunity.’
Another important aspect of BELMAS is its critical role, and Gill sees this as an important factor in the development of the organization:
‘BELMAS is an objective, research informed and nonpolitical organisation. Do we make enough of this? And are we fostering that critical debate as effectively and as widely as we could be? This is one of the questions Council considered at our recent strategic planning day.’
Looking to the future
And the next two years?
‘I am really pleased that BELMAS is sweeping away stereotypical views of academics and practitioners and I’d like to see much more activity that crosses all phases of education leadership - everyone has something of value to offer.’
‘I’d also like to see higher profile for BELMAS and more school and college leaders becoming involved. Technology should make it much easier for people to engage - our BELMAS chats for example have drawn in good numbers of participants; Research Interest Groups are thriving and there are plenty of opportunities for new developments. It’s really encouraging to see so many papers and articles being submitted for the journals and proposals to take MiE to its next phase are very exciting. In particular, I am very keen to encourage leaders at all levels to engage with research in very practical ways and to develop leadership practice based on what works. I’d also like to see further development of the work we do internationally. BELMAS already has a significant international reach and we should build on this, and develop supportive, enduring and creative partnerships with others working in the field both within Europe and on the wider international stage.’
And a final word?
‘BELMAS is for everyone with an interest in educational leadership, whether a beginning leader or researcher or an experienced and respected professional, and we have to make sure that we offer the range of activities and opportunities that our members want. This depends on members giving feedback and making suggestions and I hope to encourage more dialogue in order to achieve this.