Sustainable School Leadership in Scotland's Secondary Schools

Join , the Research team and guests to explore Sustainable School Leadership in Scotland.

We are delighted to invite you to a full-day conference dedicated to Sustainable School Leadership in Scotland. This event brings together School Leaders from across Scotland and is delivered in partnership with School Leaders Scotland and the Sustainable School Leadership research team at the University of Nottingham. Grounded in the Sustainable School Leadership (SSL) research findings and the aspirations in the SLS Manifesto, the interactive conference will explore the six key themes from the SSL project:

1. School Leadership has changed substantially in recent years
2. Leaders are working beyond their educational remit
3. Not a pipeline crisis (yet) – it’s a sustainability crisis
4. Leadership Diversity – a problem that no-one really owns
5. Preparing for Headship – importance of developmental experience
6. One-size policy does not fit all

Through expert input and collaborative discussion, participants will engage with a conceptual model for sustainable school leadership (Greany, Thomson, Perry and Collins, 2026, p.38), using it as a lens to reflect on the challenges and opportunities in their own context.At this pivotal moment for Scottish education following the parliamentary elections on 7th May, this conference creates space for leaders to consider the future of school leadership in Scotland. Together, we aim to:

• Reframe the narrative from crisis management to long-term sustainability
• Influence the direction of Scottish education, ensuring policy and practice are grounded in the lived realities of school leaders
• Strengthen the profession, by identifying how leadership can be made more attractive, diverse, and sustainable
• Build a collective voice, positioning school leaders as key partners in shaping the future of our education system in Scotland

Please note ticket option for discounted rate of £70 for SLS Council members.

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Host or Publisher School Leaders Scotland