NERPSA Educational Leadership Self-Reflection Explore whether educational leadership is right for you now, reflect on how the role is working, and identify what you may need next.
This is not a test. It is designed to support an honest decision. There is no automatic submission and no expectation that the role must be accepted or continued. Do not include names or confidential details.
1. Your pathway 2. Role fit 3. Your situation 4. Conversations 5. Next step
Does the work suit you? Choose the answer that is closest to how you feel now.
How do you feel about helping other adults improve their practice? Choose I enjoy this and want it to be part of my role I am interested but need guidance and experience I find it uncomfortable but want to improve I do not want this responsibility at present I am unsure
How do you feel about giving clear feedback when practice is not meeting expectations? Choose I can do this respectfully and directly I can do this with preparation or support I tend to soften or delay the message I usually avoid these conversations I do not want this responsibility at present
Could you act promptly if practice may be unsafe or inconsistent with children’s rights? Choose Yes—I understand that children’s safety and required action come first Yes—but I need clearer guidance about authority and reporting pathways I may hesitate and would need significant support I am not sure what I would need to do
Can you follow matters through after the first conversation? Choose Yes—I can agree on action, check progress and follow up Yes—with a clear system and allocated time I sometimes start well but do not follow up consistently This is currently a significant difficulty I am unsure
What most attracts you to the role? Choose Helping educators grow and improving outcomes for children Leading curriculum, reflection and the planning cycle Contributing more to service improvement Building my leadership experience The recognition or title I am not sure
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Is this the right time to take on the role? Knowledge can be developed. This section looks at your capacity and what you would need before deciding.
Would you have enough protected time to perform the role properly? Choose Yes Probably—with clear allocation and boundaries Not with my current workload I need more information before deciding
How ready are you for disagreement, defensiveness or criticism? Choose I can remain calm, listen and keep the professional issue clear I could manage this with preparation and support I would find this very difficult at present I am unsure
How well do you currently understand the Educational Leader role? Choose I understand the role, boundaries and main responsibilities I understand the broad purpose but need more practical guidance I have limited knowledge of the role I am not sure what the role involves
How is the role working for you now? Think about the current reality—not how the role should work in theory.
How do you generally feel about continuing in the role? Choose I want to continue and feel positive about the role I want to continue but need some changes or support I am tired and think I may need a break I am unsure whether I should continue I think it may be time for someone else to take the role
Do you have enough time to do the role properly? Choose Yes—most of the time Sometimes, but it is regularly used for other work No—the role is being added on top of an already full workload I am not sure what time should be available
What effect is the role having on your energy and wellbeing? Choose The role is manageable and professionally satisfying It is demanding but manageable with support I am regularly drained, worried or carrying matters outside work The role is currently affecting my wellbeing significantly
Are you able to see a useful effect from your leadership? Choose Yes—I can identify improvements in practice, thinking or outcomes for children Some effect is visible, but I need clearer priorities or evidence I am doing many tasks but cannot see a meaningful effect I have not had enough time or support to make progress
One thing that went well (optional—one or two sentences)
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Difficult conversations Choose what you would most likely do. Honest answers help identify the right support.
You notice a practice concern that is continuing. What would you do first? Choose Arrange a private conversation and raise the specific concern Seek brief guidance, then arrange the conversation promptly Wait to see whether it improves by itself Fix the work myself instead of discussing it Talk to other colleagues about it first
The educator becomes upset or defensive. What are you most likely to do? Choose Stay calm, acknowledge the response and return to the professional issue Pause appropriately and seek support if needed Withdraw the concern because the person is upset Become frustrated or argue my position I am not sure
How confident are you turning the discussion into a clear action and review? Choose Confident—I can agree on action, support, evidence and a review date I could do this with a guide or template I often finish without a clear agreement or review date I am not confident doing this
The agreed improvement does not occur. What would you do? Choose Meet again, use the evidence, clarify expectations and escalate if required Seek support before holding the follow-up conversation Give repeated informal reminders Avoid raising it again I am not sure
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What should happen next? Choose the statement that best reflects your decision now. It is acceptable to be unsure.
My current decision is: Choose I would like to discuss taking the role I may be interested after preparation or changes are agreed I need more information before deciding I would like more time to think The role is not right for me at this time
My current decision is: Choose I want to continue in the role as it is I want to continue, but I need specific changes or support I would like a planned break from the role I am unsure and need a discussion before deciding I think it is time for someone else to take the role
What is the most important thing you need next? Choose A discussion with my Education Manager Clearer expectations about the role Protected time or workload changes Training, mentoring or coaching Support with difficult conversations A planned review date Time away from the role Support to hand the role to someone else I do not need anything further at present
Anything important you want your Education Manager to understand? (optional—keep this brief)
Name (optional)
Service (optional)
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