Time: 9:30am - 12:00pm
This course is being delivered online, and a recording will be available for up to 30 days after the event has ended.
Fees
Member - £99
Non-Member - £149
Facilitator - Philippa Ollerhead
Instigating and managing a difficult conversation can be daunting and there are some circumstances where senior leaders delay taking action in the hope that the issue will be resolved without their intervention. However, this course will demonstrate that it is much better to tackle problems at an early stage as this can prevent the situation from getting worse and is more likely to maintain good working relationships with colleagues.
Audience
School leaders, head teachers, deputy head teachers and SLT including SBLs. Primary, secondary, special and APs suitable.
What are people saying about this course?
"Really useful practical tips for dealing with difficult conversations." - February 2024
"It has been really beneficial to have time to reflect and time to talk to colleagues. I now feel that I have the knowledge and schools to have effective difficult conversations." - Lucy Clarke, Redwood Primary - October 2024
"Reassurance that I do know what to do." - October 2024
"Informative and useful." - October 2024
"Enlightening, reflective." - October 2024
Objectives
This course offers you an opportunity to share examples of and gain confidence in handling difficult conversations effectively, objectively and sensitively.
• Explore why people can be challenging
• Consider why you may need to have a difficult conversation (determine the purpose/reason)
• How to prepare for difficult conversations - adopting the right approach
• Recognising and managing your emotional state
• Explore ways of dealing with difficult behaviour
• Plan the conversation (anticipate responses)
• Advice on how to listen carefully and demonstrate that you are doing so.
• Consider the steps in managing behaviour
• Explore how you might deal with parental complaints (optional)
• Reminder of your own well-being
Facilitator
Philippa Ollerhead
Philippa has had a long career in education, having been a Head of English, a Vice Principal of a large sixth form college in Greater Manchester, Head teacher of a pupil referral unit and Head teacher at a secondary alternative provision school. Philippa is formally trained every academic year in the rigorous of the common inspection framework to prepare primary and secondary schools for Ofsted visits.
Philippa is a training partner for the NAHT, delivering courses for Head teachers across the country, in subjects such as Ofsted Update, Leading School Safeguarding, Joining or Forming a MAT - making an informed choice, and Leadership and Leading School Investigations. Philippa has been an education improvement adviser for over 10 years and works with schools in all sectors around the country supporting school leaders.