The Outwood Institute of Education’s (OIE) annual Women into Leadership programme officially welcomes its newest cohort on Monday 9th November, offering female teaching and support staff a dedicated platform to unlock their leadership potential.
First launched in 2018, the programme is designed and delivered by Julie Slater, Chief Executive Principal at Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) and is specifically tailored for current and aspiring female leaders. Hosted across the OIE’s regional conference centres in Doncaster and Redcar, the sessions provide an exploration of modern leadership and focus directly on navigating and dismantling the common barriers women encounter throughout their careers.
Drawing on her own professional journey into senior and executive roles, Julie Slater shares practical insight and authentic guidance with participants.
Julie said:
“Women into Leadership is one of our flagship programmes that I have had the great privilege of delivering since 2018.
“The programme was born out of my own learning when I attended 'Women Inspiring Leadership' at Oxford University's Saïd Business School in 2013, as part of the DfE's Fellowship programme. That experience, combined with my own leadership journey, inspired me to design a course that remains just as vital today.
“The structure takes participants on a transformative pathway—from identifying barriers to developing genuine confidence in their executive abilities. The impact speaks for itself, with the vast majority of our alumni securing promotions within 12 to 18 months of completing the programme.”
The programme welcomes colleagues from across both teaching and support disciplines who are considering their next step into middle leadership, senior leadership, or headship. Structured to work alongside established leadership qualifications, including National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) and the OIE’s High Potential Leadership programme, Women into Leadership continues to strengthen the pipeline of resilient, ambitious female leaders across the education sector.
