NCSL has produced many resources aimed at middle leaders within schools, across all schools and in difference contexts.
Getting out through the middle (2006) 
(448kb, 6 pages)
Jenny Francis
This study looked at how five secondary schools, judged to be in special measures or as having serious weakness by Ofsted, have used their middle leaders to promote school improvement.
Getting out through the middle – full report (496kb, 21 pages)
(Download only)
Heart of the Matter (2003) (262kb, 44 pages)
This booklet sets out eight areas in which middle and senior leaders can make a difference to learning. You will find practical suggestions set out in colour coded sections. For each, we list what middle leaders can do and how senior leaders can support and enable them to work effectively.
A printed version, priced £5, is available by clicking on the order button below.
Learning from the middle (2006) (446kb, 6 pages)
Christine Jones
This study aims to investigate the impact of the Leading from the Middle programme (LftM) in two secondary schools and assess the extent to which it has helped the participants develop their leadership skills.
Learning from the middle – full report (2006) (496kb, 21 pages)
(Download only)
Learning from the middle (2006) (446kb, 6 pages)
Christine Jones
This study aims to investigate the impact of the Leading from the Middle programme (LftM) in two secondary schools and assess the extent to which it has helped the participants develop their leadership skills.
Learning from the middle – full report (2006) (496kb, 21 pages)
(Download only)
Making a difference – middle leadership in secondary school facing challenging circumstances (2006)
It is apparent that some secondary schools facing challenging circumstances are much more successful than others and that within these schools, some departments are more successful than others. The project described here attempted to explore what happens in some of these successful departments.
Executive summary (122kb, 8 pages)
Making a difference – full report (1Mb, 40 pages) Warning: large file
Making a difference website
A printed version of the materials is available, priced £5.
This resource uses learning-centred leadership behaviours to explore the effectiveness of middle leaders in primary by addressing:
The DVD and accompanying booklet are available to purchase at a price of £11.50 (£10 plus VAT), by clicking on the order button below.
For further information visit the Primary Middle Leaders website.
Raising the bar (2006) (267kb, 6 pages)
Peter Wright
This study is based on the views of over 40 subject leaders of English, maths and science in secondary schools and asks the question, what do successful secondary subject leaders leading large teams do to raise attainment in their curriculum areas?
Raising the bar – full report (543kb, 26 pages)
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Re-thinking middle leadership in secondary schools (2006) (96kb, 6 pages)
Kathryn Hobbs
This report is focused around two questions – how do staff in traditional middle management roles successfully negotiate the transition from management to leadership and in what ways can these roles be developed to further enhance teaching and learning?
Re-thinking middle leadership – full report (96kb, 6 pages)
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Ringing the changes: the middle leaders’ role in leading change (2007)
Elizabeth Moore
"Not more change," teachers often proclaim. Nonetheless, whatever concerns are expressed, the one certain constant in education is change. So how do leaders in schools encourage their colleagues to value and practise the latest initiative?
Ringing the changes – full report (532kb, 24 pages)
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The role and purpose of middle leaders in schools (2003) (145kb, 17 pages)
Nigel Bennett, Wendy Newton, Christine Wise, Philip A Woods and Anastasia Economou
This literature review was undertaken as part of the development work for the Leading from the Middle programme. It examines the changing understanding of the role of teachers who find themselves in the middle layer of school leadership structures.
The role and purpose of middle leaders – full report (429kb, 21 pages)
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Tidying the cupboard? The role of subject leaders in primary schools (96kb, 6 pages)
David Burrows
Research associate report looking at how subject leaders in a primary school can share their talents and expertise to make a positive difference to teaching and learning.
Tidying the cupboard – full report (232kb, 19 pages)
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