A unique course being piloted by Wrexham Glyndwr University will help to train key leaders in education across North Wales, the Welsh Assembly has been told.

Welsh Government Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams AM, said in a Written Statement to the Assembly that the Introduction to Systems Leadership course Glyndwr will be running this summer is one of three key Higher Education initiatives set to develop Welsh school governors and leaders.

In her statement, the Minister said: “I am pleased to draw attention to the work that the Welsh Higher Education sector are doing to support school governance.

“The Higher Education Funding Council Wales (HEFCW) are funding the Open University (OU) in Wales, Cardiff University and Wrexham Glyndŵr University who are working collaboratively to support governors through sharing ideas, best practice and opportunities for collaboration.

“This is, in part, a response to my challenge to the HE sector on civic engagement and to work more closely with schools. They are keen to work with the Education Consortia, Association of Directors of Education in Wales (ADEW) and relevant Regional Skills and Reaching Wider Partnerships.

“Wrexham Glyndwr University is to pilot a short course, ‘Introduction to Systems Leadership’ module, with a number of Governors and key school leaders across North Wales by Summer 2019.

“The programme is unique in its design – it has been co-created by organisations from across the public, private and third sectors to ensure that it addresses the opportunities and challenges that a whole-system approach can bring to tackling complex issues.”

Wrexham Glyndwr University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Claire Taylor, said: “We are delighted to be working in collaboration with the Open University and with Cardiff University to support school governors across Wales.

“Together, we are developing flexible and accessible resources that support governors in their vital work within schools and this is part of the University’s ongoing commitment and expertise in the field of Education.

“We are also pioneering new methods of real and impactful civic engagement, as endorsed by the Minister in her statement to the Assembly.”

The Introduction to Systems Leadership course is part of a wider Public Service Leadership Programme which has been shaped and informed by leaders of change at all levels in public, private and third sector organisations across North Wales and beyond.

Find out more about the course here: https://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/en/ShortCourses/IntrotoSystemsLeadership/

Notes

Founded in 2008, Wrexham Glyndwr University is a young, bold and vibrant university based in north-east Wales. The university has two campuses in Wrexham, Plas Coch and Regent Street plus campuses in Northop and St Asaph. In 2017 the university was awarded the silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework for the quality of teaching.

The university is driving academic excellence through a wide range of innovative and industry-relevant courses, such as Applied Science, Computing, Engineering, Creative Arts, Criminology and Psychology. Wrexham Glyndwr is now a Top 100 University, rising 24 places in the Guardian league tables – one of the top 10 risers in the UK.  The Campus 2025 strategy encompasses plans for new student accommodation, car parking and upgraded facilities in the next eight years.