Secure Your First Leadership Role – Becoming SLT

You've led a team, raised standards and covered for colleagues when it counted. Getting that across on paper, and again under pressure on interview day, is a different skill.

The covering letter follows a simple structure (why this job, recent evidence of impact, then your vision) and fits on one page. A shortlisting panel will read it even if the advert says they won't. Six areas of senior leadership, such as leading teaching and learning or managing a team, help you spot experience you've been underselling.

On the day, you'll know which panels to prepare for, including finance and safeguarding, and how to steady yourself when a question throws you. You'll also have a short talk to staff built around one clear idea.