Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Educational Leadership and Management (RQF)

• Access Duration: 12 Months
• Awarded by: ATHE
• Credit Value: 145
• Guided Learning Hours(GLH): 580
• Total Qualification Time(TQT): 1450
• Qualification Level: 7
• Qualification Number: 603/7548/6

• Gain advanced skills in strategic leadership, to effectively guide and influence educational institutions towards achieving long-term goals.
• Develop robust management techniques for overseeing teams, resources, and processes within educational settings.
• Implement strategic plans that address complex challenges, drive institutional improvements, and align with educational standards and goals.
• Lead and manage organisational change effectively, including overcoming resistance and ensuring smooth transitions.
• Develop and enforce policies and practices that ensure compliance with educational standards.
• Assess and apply contemporary leadership and management theories to real-world educational environments.

This Level 7 Extended Diploma is intended for those seeking to drive institutional success, enhance teaching quality, and manage organisational change.

• Headteachers
• Principals
• Education managers
• Educational leaders
• Educational consultants
• Educational specialists
• Education support staff
• Course coordinators
• Course development specialists
• Aspiring educators
• Special educational needs coordinators

This Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Educational Leadership and Management paves the way for exciting career advancements in the education sector, particularly in leadership and management roles. Additionally, the skills developed through this course will set you up for success in roles helping to maintain and elevate educational standards across schools and colleges.

Here are some career prospects you can explore, along with the average UK salary per annum (approximately) according to Glassdoor.

• Head of School – £78,000
• Headteacher – £78,000
• Director of Teaching – £80,000
• Principal – £120,000
• Chief Education Officer – £60,000
• Education Manager – £48,000
• Education Specialist – £46,000
• Education Consultant – £42,000

• Learners must be aged 21 and above.
• A first degree or equivalent, with a teaching qualification or other forms of training and development in education.
• Have an appropriate standard of English, Maths and IT to access relevant resources, complete the unit assignments and to meet the requirements for entry into the teaching profession. This will typically be at GCSE at Grade C and above or Grade 4 and above or equivalent.
• Other equivalent international qualifications.
• You must be an experienced education professional, undertaking leadership and/or managerial positions in an educational setting.

• If English is not your first language, the following standards are recommended:

• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) B2.
• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) 162 or above.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic 42-49.

• This course can be completed in a matter of months or over the course of a year. Most learners will complete this course in 9-12 months. Some learners may complete the course quicker, depending on their personal circumstances and available study time. We will accommodate your pace, providing unlimited support for 12 months.
• The ATHE Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Educational Leadership and Management requires approximately 580 guided study hours. This figure is an estimate and depends on how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how quickly you grasp the teaching, learning concepts, and course materials.

This assessment process includes a combination of written assignments and workplace assessments. Importantly, this course doesn’t have exams. Here’s an overview of how you will be assessed throughout the course:

• Written Assignments: This course includes 12 units. You will complete written assignments which will be carefully reviewed and evaluated by an assessor. These assignments will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the course theory. You can achieve a Pass for each unit based on the quality of the work submitted. If you do not meet all Learning Outcomes at Pass standard, you will be given a Fail for the unit.
• Internal Marking and Feedback: All completed assignments are marked internally within South London College. You will receive constructive feedback and guidance from your personal tutor, which will support your learning and improvement.
• Workplace Assessments: You will undergo observation of actual practice within an educational setting. This practical evaluation ensures that you can implement theoretical concepts into your daily professional practice effectively. You are required to produce associated feedback from peer observation.
• Journal Records: You will maintain a journal or diary and keep a record of professional discussions and a record of oral and written questioning.
• Assessor Support: You will have comprehensive access to support from assessors via various channels including telephone, WhatsApp, online discussions, email, and web chats.

For further details or any specific questions about the assessment process, please click the ‘Enquire Now’ button below to get in touch with us.

After completing the Level 7 Extended Diploma, you can advance to a postgraduate qualification.

Next Steps for a Possible Academic Progression Pathway:

• Step 01: Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership or a Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Step 02: Doctoral programme in Education or Educational Leadership

Alternative Progression Pathway;

• Coaching and Mentoring qualification
• Specialist certifications in educational policy or advanced quality assurance

Ofqual-regulated qualifications are overseen by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England. Ofqual is England’s main government-appointed regulatory body regulating school, college, and vocational qualifications in the UK. Ofqual ensures these qualifications meet high standards of quality and rigour, providing assurance they are recognised and respected by employers, educational institutions, and professional bodies. This oversight guarantees the qualifications maintain consistency, transparency, and credibility, meaning potential employers and organisations will have confidence in the individual’s skills and abilities, making them competitive candidates. They support professional development and compliance with industry standards, particularly in regulated fields such as healthcare, education, and public services. Ofqual-regulated qualifications are accepted abroad or can be easily converted to the country’s equivalent.

RQF

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is a system used in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales to categorise and regulate qualifications based on their level of difficulty and size. RQF is jointly regulated by England’s regulator Ofqual, Wales DCELLS, and Northern Ireland’s CCEA. The RQF ensures qualifications are standardised, making it easier for learners, employers, and educational institutions to understand the value and level of each qualification. The framework consists of nine levels, from Entry Level to Level 8, with each level indicating the complexity and depth of learning. For a qualification to be recognised as part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), it must be created or approved by an awarding body that is acknowledged by one of the government-appointed regulatory bodies.