Welcome to the SSERC leadership home page where we hope you will find a range of useful and interesting resources to help you develop your leadership skills.
We believe that leaders are most effective when they develop a group identity where group members share an understanding of what is required and are motivated to achieve it. We believe that the leadership behaviours that bring about that group identity can be learned and they can be practised. Nor do you need to be a leader to practise these behaviours. Good followers make good leaders because they employ the same skills and share the same vision as the leader as they work towards a common purpose.
Leaders need to think often, deeply and radically about what they do. Leaders should draw on sources of imaginative ideas rather than prefabricated policies. Improvement should be a habit not a goal of an effective science team.
We hope that the resources in these pages help you in developing yourself and the culture of the teams you work with whether as a leader or a follower. Good luck!
Health and Safety – This link will take you to the SSERC health and safety pages.
Publications – Here you will find details of two SSERC publications. The Excellent Science Department, which is a guide to the leadership and self-evaluation of a science department. The Modern Science Teacher is aimed a new and recently qualified teachers although it is also a useful reminder and aide memoire for the more experienced hand. Both form part of the pre-course reading for SSERC leadership courses and are available free on application to enquiries@sserc.scot for teachers whose local authorities, schools or colleges are members of SSERC.
Topics in leadership – Here you can access SSERC publications that go into aspects of science curriculum leadership in some depth. They include Evidence Based Education, Quality Assuring a Science Curriculum, Leading Professional Learning and Developing a Leadership Culture.
Professional learning – Here you will find details of the two SSERC leadership courses Leading for Excellence in Science which is offered annually and Science for Curriculum Leaders and Heads of Faculty which is offered every two years. Both are two part residential courses.
Quizzes – Here you will find quizzes that although light-hearted have serious intent. We hope these will give you an insight into delegation, teamwork and attitudes to change.
Book Reviews – Here you will find reviews of a recommended selection of books on key issues relevant to the work of a Science Curriculum Leader. These are the books to read if you want to be at the top of your game as a curriculum leader in science.
Leadership Bibliography – The aim of this bibliography is to provide a ready point of access to a number of publications, references and web sites that should be of interest and value to Curriculum Leaders in Science.
