On 21 January, Delta Academies Trust welcomed colleagues to the second round of Expert Knowledge sessions as part of the Delta Leadership Pathways Programme, a powerful demonstration of our commitment to developing exceptional leaders at every level. 

Dr Smith, Director of Education, led the secondary session, which focused on the leadership of teaching and learning through Delta’s Learning Principles. The session explored how leaders can drive consistent, high‑impact classroom practice by prioritising learning over compliance, using learning walks effectively, and supporting staff to refine their teaching. It outlined the seven components of exceptional teaching and the essential routines and strategies that enhance learning, with a strong emphasis on adaptive teaching, formative assessment, pace, and classroom culture. Above all, the session reinforced the role of leaders in influencing practice, embedding shared principles, and improving outcomes for all learners. 

Ian Gilsenan led both secondary and primary colleagues through a focused session on how leaders can use data intelligently to drive improvement. The session explored the breadth of data available across Delta Academies Trust and emphasised the importance of data quality, avoiding bias, and preventing data overload. Leaders were supported to move beyond intuition towards evidence‑based decision‑making, using tools such as RAG analysis, Power BI, and question‑level analysis to identify trends, monitor performance, and improve outcomes. Central to the session was the message that effective leadership turns data into insight, enabling strategic action that improves teaching, learning, attendance, and student achievement. 

David Longley led primary colleagues through a session focused on leading teaching and learning. The session explored what effective school leadership looks like in practice, emphasising the link between vision, ethos, strategy, and day‑to‑day classroom impact. Colleagues considered different leadership approaches, the importance of teacher‑centred systems, and the role of trust and distributed leadership in securing sustained improvement. A significant focus was placed on managing change effectively, including understanding the implementation dip, using evidence‑informed strategies, and responding thoughtfully to resistance. Throughout the session, leaders were encouraged to reflect on how they influence practice, align teams behind a shared direction, and create the conditions in which high‑quality teaching and learning can thrive. 

The next Expert Knowledge sessions will take place at Education House on Thursday 12th February, as outlined below: 

Secondary – Suitable for Aspiring APs, VPs and Directors 

Primary – Suitable for Aspiring Middle Leaders, APs, VPs & DOLs