Barnet College: Management Development Programme

Equality Works were commissioned to carry out a skills-based management developement programme with the College values and management framework at its core. The programme was for managers who were new to their roles and who may or may not be experienced at managing people, teams and functions.

The main features of the programme were:

• A one-day introductory module – linking College values to day-to-day work.
• A series of half-day sessions spread over a period – say, from November to March.
• A module focused on good practice, skills development and action-learning style problem solving.
• Equalities and diversity integrated into all the topic areas in a practical way, including practical hints on how to mainstream disability issues.
• Practical projects such as reshaping the Personal Developmenr Review process in time for February’s half-yearly review cycle.
• Making practical materials such as mini-videos of good practice.
• Mentoring or internal support system for new managers to compliment the programme.

The programme was practical and outcome focused, using practical problem solving and ‘real’ projects to develop skills. The aim is to have managers who are efficient, effective and reflective practitioners. 

The programme consists of three core modules enhanced by one-to-one coaching and follow-up ‘action learning sets’. The core modules are:

• Introductory module
• Managing performance – self and others
• Managing change through project working