‘Step Up’ to Leadership: Be a Male Ally

Are you a new leader who likes the idea of leadership but struggles to find the balance between teaching and leading? 

Are you someone who wants to be a leader, but not knowing how to get there, feeling a bit stagnant? 

You might be a developing leader but in the wrong organisation? 

You might not see leaders like you? 

This is why Step Up was set up.

Step Up is a new network for new and aspiring leaders in education, particularly at middle and senior leadership levels in schools. Upon starting the social media account, and subsequent network, we surveyed people to find out who our community are and what they want/need. This has been incredibly useful. It's been great getting to know our community.

From this research and insight, we have constructed five 'leadership themes' that we base our content and output around. 

The five themes are: 

• Leadership Journeys
• Leadership Barriers & Challenges
• Leadership Development
• Leadership Wellbeing 
• Leadership Diversity

As the founder of Step Up, I wanted to ensure that whatever we do, we are inclusive and that we are diverse in order to create a community where our network members belong. As a heterosexual, white, able-bodied, cisgender man who doesn't have children and is fairly financially stable, I know I've had it easier than others. 

However, I have always committed to being a #HeForShe ally. 

I have been a keen supporter and champion of #WomenEd since signing up to social media. One thing I have realised is that I've continued to learn as an ally.

One of the biggest learning curves was Step Up's Launch Event. 

As I co-hosted alongside one of my fellow network leaders, #WomenEd West Midlands England's Elaine Hayes, I listened attentively to our speakers.

 I listened to the vulnerability; to their negative and positive experiences; to their struggles; to their hopes and wishes; to their experience and tips. 

I felt quite emotional in parts listening to in some cases, abhorrent behaviour that they (or colleagues, friends or family) had been subjected to as part of their journey.

I've summarised some of the key takeaways from some of the presentations:

Parm Plummer, WomenEd's Global Strategic Leader and a Secondary Assistant Headteacher based in Jersey presented on Women in Leadership. 

Her talk initially started with sharing the fantastic work of #WomenEd: their campaigns, partnerships, networks (including their global reach) and the development opportunities they provide for female leaders. 

Parm then went on to help navigate the process of stepping up as a female leader, initially sharing the only image of a woman that came up during a Google search, before going on to provide tips to write a job application through to negotiating your terms. Parm also gave tips on finding allies and joining networks.

Helen Witty, a neurodivergent Lead SENDCo based in the East of England who gave a pre-recorded video on Neurodivergent Leadership. 

Helen shared an insight into her job and life as a SENDCo with ADHD. She shared about being open about her ADHD at her job interview and how it positively impacts her life and those who she works with. 

Helen also gave a fantastic insight into the role of a SENDCo, for all those who aspire to this role.

Stephanie Shaldas, a secondary deputy headteacher leading on diversity and inclusion based in London.

Stephanie's talk, Leadership in Colour: Senior Leadership as a Black American Woman, started with a story from March 2021 whilst she was working as an Acting Co-Headteacher. This story was based around Prince William visiting her school. 

What was a forty-five minute visit led to a weekend of trending on Twitter, including one Tweet:

'Who dressed up the secretary in African cloth and trotted her out?'

Stephanie went on to talk about her journey and how she felt like school leaders didn't look like her when she was in her early career. She shared her inspiring path to leadership including her own education as well as teaching and leadership roles at middle and senior level spanning both curriculum and pastoral. 

As Stephanie said, "If I can, then you can!" – find your why and explore your passions!

Mubina Husain, Head of Science Faculty, based in London gave a presentation titled: 'Using my minority lens to lead.'

Mubina talked about how she used her minority ethnic background as her strength in her leadership journey. 

She posed the key question: 'Do we have equity in teaching?' 

Mubina used research and evidence to back up every piece of advice and information that she gave; talking about building allies to help you bring your chair to the table.

Jaycee Ward, a phase leader in a Yorkshire primary school, spoke about imposter syndrome, based around her journey as a young senior leader. 

Jaycee narrated her journey to date and how she has completely changed her narrative and inner critic. 

She shared her five top tips for combating imposter syndrome: 

Seek Support, Embrace Vulnerability, Celebrate Achievements, Self-Compassion, Self-Reflection. 

Something everyone at the event resonated with.

Nicola Mooney, a secondary deputy headteacher based in the South West of England, who also volunteers for #WomenEd South West England and MTPT Project, gave an interesting presentation on 'non-linear career paths'.

Nicola shared her journey through her career to date including multiple maternity leaves and periods of IVF. Nicola shared how through not going through the 'traditional' upward trajectory has enabled her to be successful both as a teacher and as a mother. 

It was a talk many welcomed, knowing it's not as simple and always useful to be continually promoted.

So, why should you become a male ally? 

It's your duty and championing equality and equity benefits us all. 

For example, #WomenEd's campaign on flexible working will improve the workplace for all genders. 

Being an ally is a journey, just like the journey we are still working on to achieve equity and equality for all.

Educate yourself on the #WomenEd four campaigns and all the issues women leaders in education face so that you can support the journey to removing barriers for all.

I feel very privileged to have spent time in the virtual room with these fantastic female leaders. 

Step Up (and I) will continue championing for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the education leadership sector and we will ensure everyone has the chance to share their stories. 

If you want to get involved and find out more, then follow us on @StepUpNet_Ed and check out our website.