We developed a 3 session Values Based Leadership programme as part of the Leadership Academy offer for medical and non-medical leaders. The aim of the programme was to support and develop leaders at all levels to lead and inspire their teams using the Trust values to underpin all their work and conversations. To manage challenges around availability and workload, leaders could book on to any of the programme's sessions in any order based on their availability throughout the year.

 

The three sessions were:

Values Based Conversations (1 day) – Having valuable conversations at work that inspire, recognise and challenge others on how they live out the Trust Values in their work and relationships.

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Values Based Interviewing  (2 days) – Recruiting staff who share the Trust’s vision and values through developing an inclusive, positive and probing interview approach.

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Resilience and Wellbeing for Leaders (1 day) – Developing the self-awareness, skills and tools to support and care for your own wellbeing and build resilience when caring for others.

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   NHS Jobs | Preparing for an interview

We worked with the Head Teacher and staff to develop a values and behaviour framework aligned to the school mission, and as a catholic school we supported the school to link scripture to each value to further align their mission to their catholic identity. St Vincent's Catholic Primary School Trafford: Mission and Values

 

We then ran a 12-month Values Based Leadership programme for middle leaders which was based around the 3 areas of the VBA Consulting Values Based Leadership Model. The programme was delivered in person, once a half term for 2 hours to accommodate the challenges around releasing leaders who also had teaching and other commitments.  

 

The programme enabled the Middle Leaders to develop their individual skills and confidence as values-based leaders, as well as developing a shared sense of being a leadership team rather than individual leaders: 

 

• The difference between values based leadership and management

• Values based leadership models that work in schools

• Knowing your “why” of leadership

• Valuable and challenging conversations

• Leading a positive, values based culture

• Managing and inspiring change through empowerment

 

We are proud to have been part of the journey with St Vincents who achieved Outstanding in their 2024 Ofsted Inspection, including for Leadership and Management. St Vincent's Catholic PS ofsted report.pdf

We worked with the Leadership Team and staff in Shrewsbury House School and The Rowans to develop a values and behaviour framework aligned to the school motto and vision “Alta Peto”( Aim High).  This has been embedded very successfully in the schools approach to recruitment which uses values based interviews to identify staff who share the passion and values of the school for giving boys who attend the school an opportunity to be stretched academically and nurtured pastorally.  Our Aims and Values - Shrewsbury House School

 

The Executive Head understands the importance of strong, values-based leadership at all levels and in 2025 she was voted Tatler’s Best Head of a Prep School. She commissioned us to run a 6 month values based leadership programme for middle and senior leaders,  based around the 3 areas of the VBA Consulting Values Based Leadership Model, to inspire and develop all her leaders in her philosophy of leadership. 

 

The programme was delivered virtually, once a half term for 1 hour and was supplemented with discussion groups after each session led by the Executive Head.  This approach enabled Leaders to develop their individual skills and confidence as values-based leaders.

 

There were also able to develop a shared sense of being a leadership team, with the Executive Head providing ongoing opportunities for them to work together to develop key strategic priority areas for the Trust schools.

 

We have been working with the Leadership Team at Holy Family Catholic Primary School since 2016, coaching and support them in developing a values-based culture for staff, pupils and parents. We initially worked together to develop a new mission statement and values and behaviours framework which has gone on to underpin everything the school does.  

 

This includes:

• ​Staff recruitment, appraisals and daily values-based conversations.

• Setting expectations for pupil behaviour, the relational approach with pupils and recognising pupils through values awards and assemblies.

• Communication and engagement with parents and the wider school community.

• Delivering a values-based curriculum for pupils that provides them the opportunity to learn and demonstrate values and behaviours that will support them as they grow and develop throughout their lives.  

 

Through our work together, the school became one of only a small number of schools in the UK to achieve the Enhanced Values Based Education (VbE) Quality Mark in 2024. 

Enhanced Values Based Quality Mark Award 2024 | Holy Family Catholic Primary School

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Watch this video of the Head Teacher who led on the work to achieve the VbE Accreditation talking about her journey as a Values Based Leader and the impact of Values Based Leadership on the whole school community.

 

Holy Family Catholic Primary School How Values Based Leadership is making a difference video.