Shape the system
Work alongside peers to tackle shared challenges, amplify collective voice, and deliver lasting change across FE and skills.
Step back. Look outward. Lead beyond your organisation and beyond your comfort zone.
Designed for leadership resilience
- Built for leaders already in FE Chief Executives and Principles roles.
- Immersive development experience built around two, two-night residentials for live challenge, reflection and application.
- Lead beyond your organisation, shape the wider civic, political and economic system.
- Rooted in FE while bringing in fresh thinking, provocation and challenges beyond the sector.
- From stakeholder complexity and scrutiny to crisis, Leading Beyond focuses on the realities that define chief executive leadership today.
Two core themes for development
Beyond your organisation
Participants explore system leadership, stakeholder power, influence, convening, and communicating beyond the boundaries of the institution. This includes seeing and shaping the wider landscape, making the table around complex challenges, and engaging external voices directly.
Beyond your comfort zone
Participants work on the tested moments of leadership: capability gaps, crisis, conflict, polarisation, uncertainty, and decision-making under pressure. This includes immersive simulation, reflection, scenario planning, and practical strategies for leading with composure.
tackling Distinct and interwoven challenges
Through two residential immersions - supported by virtual sessions before, between, and after the residentials - the programme is designed to be intentionally immersive and gives leaders the chance to step away from day-to-day demands and focus fully on development.
Lead the system, not just your organisation
Make clear confident decisions when it matters the most
Unlock progress on problems no on can solve alone
Hold intergrity in the face of conflict and polorisation
Lead with foresight, not hindsight
Lead with composure
Programme structure
This programme is a eight-month blended development journey. All costs and expenses included in fee.
90-minute online session
Designed to set direction, build connection, and establish a strong foundation for the learning journey.
Two-day residential
Following the online launch session, participants will come together an an immersive residential experience six weeks into the programme, exploring the topics of:
- From institution to system: seeing and shaping your landscape
- Making the table: convening power in complex systems
- Presence and impact beyond your organisation
Facilitated 90-minute online session
Taking place 10 weeks into the programme, this session will be held in small groups for in-depth conversations.
Two-day residential
Taking place 16 weeks into the programme, focusing on the theme of 'When leadership is tested'.
This residential is designed to consolidate learning, strengthen strategic thinking and turn insight into action, through the topics of:
- Leading with capability: strengths, gaps and growth
- Immersive crisis simulation
- Leading in polarising environments
- Scenario planning: leading in uncertain futures
Facilitated 120-minute online session
Taking place 20 weeks into the programme, this session will be held in small groups for in-depth conversations.
Three further 90-minute online sessions
Taking place 24-32 weeks into the programme, these sessions will be held in small groups for in-depth conversations and peer-directed.
Investment for long-term impact
Strengthen your team
Be able to lead with clarity and resilience to make better decisions, inspire your teams, and drive sustainable performance.
Invest in yourself
Build the confidence, skills, and trusted peer network to thrive and shape the next stage of your own development journey.
The space to share challenges and create collective solutions.
CEO Programme
Gain a deeper understanding of their role as change agents. Apply thinking about leadership in the context as individuals, their organisation and the sector as a whole.
Inclusive Leadership Programme
Free-to-attend and designed and delivered by University of Portsmouth, this programme supports FE and skills leaders in embracing equity, diversity, and inclusion as a personal priority.
Looking for whole-organisational support?
Explore our ETF Leadership Pathway programme offer which provides a connected, evidence-based journey for aspiring, middle, and senior leaders.