Commonwealth Fellowships in Education Leadership

LECT (League for the Exchange of Commenwealth Teachers) is offering up to six people in key positions in education in developing Commonwealth countries the opportunity to develop and enhance their skills through an innovative programme of professional experience and exchange.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom is a public body, established by Act of Parliament and with funding from the Department for International Development and Foreign and Commonwealth Office.  The Commission is responsible for Britain’s contribution to the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, through which Commonwealth countries offer educational and training opportunities to each other’s citizens.

Each Fellowship provides for the Fellow:

Each Fellowship also provides a contribution to the costs of the host organisation (LECT), in respect of the administration and support of the Fellow, and fees for any conferences or short courses attended during the period of Fellowship, providing that these have been approved at the time when the application was considered by the Commission.

Further information about the Commonwealth Professional Fellowships is available on www.csfp-online.org

Programme outline

The programme will provide Fellowships of three months duration from January 2006 for up to six individuals in key education leadership positions in eligible Commonwealth countries. Fellows will be hosted by LECT in conjunction with local education authorities in the UK and will take part in a programme of professional experience and exchange including:

• Placements in schools and local education authority departments
• Job-shadowing
• Appropriate leadership course(s)
• Opportunity to undertake action research
• Participation in conferences and training events
• Time with a ‘mentor’, who will provide guidance and support
• Sharing and exchanging learning with other Fellows

 Provisional timetable: 

The above timetable is provisional and timings are for guidance only. The final programme will be tailored to the needs and experience of the selected candidates and there will be opportunity to focus on particular interests or skill areas. Please note that the programme is primarily one of practical experience and exchange and formal training courses in leadership form a very small part of the programme. Fellows will be encouraged to undertake action research in a focused area of education and/or leadership and time for personal study and research will be included in the programme. The programme does not result in a professional qualification or accreditation.

 Requirements

We are looking for dedicated and forward-thinking individuals in a position to influence and effect positive change in their country or region. You must show in your application that you will be able to bring tangible benefits to the quality of teaching and learning in your country or region through the skills and experience you gain through a Commonwealth Fellowship in education leadership. You may be a school principal, classroom teacher, school inspector or advisor, or hold some other position in education in your country. Whatever your current position, you must have previous teaching experience in primary or secondary schools. In order to be considered as a candidate for the programme, you must also:

• Be a citizen of, and resident in, one of the eligible Commonwealth countries (see attached list)
• Have at least 5 years experience as an educator or education manager in schools and currently be in a leadership role
• Be flexible, open to new ideas, and able to get on with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds
• Have the support of your school or education authority
• Be able to travel to the UK for three months from January 2006

Selected candidates will be required to undergo the necessary police checks, in line with current legislation. Please note that in view of the fact that the Commission operates a separate Fellowship programme for academic staff, awards are not open to those employed as full-time academic staff. All Fellowship recipients will be required to sign a declaration agreeing to return home immediately on completion of the award.

 Selection process

Candidates will be selected on a competitive basis according to the criteria outlined above. Selected candidates will be contacted by the middle of June, and included in LECT’s bid to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. We will let you know by the end of August 2005 whether or not you have been awarded a Fellowship. As the Fellowships are dependent on external funding, we cannot confirm that the Fellowships will be awarded until August 2005.

 How to apply

Please complete all three pages of the application form carefully in black ink or type remembering to sign and date thestatement in section 3. Send your completed application form to LECT along with all the supporting documentation requested in section 2. Please also include a photocopy of the photograph page of your passport or identity card. Applications may be submitted by post or fax.

Letter of reference

The letter of reference from your home country should be from someone who knows you and your work well, ideally your employer, and may be submitted direct to LECT by post or fax, or sent in a sealed envelope along with your application. The reference must arrive by the closing date of 11 May 2005.

 Curriculum Vitae

You are asked to submit Curriculum Vitae with your application. Your CV should be as concise as possible (no more than 3 or 4 pages) and cover the areas outlined in section 2 of the application form.

 Personal statement

Please pay particular attention to your personal statement, as this will be the main basis for selection by LECT and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. In the statement you are asked to show:

• Demonstrated commitment to your professional field
• Demonstrated desire and ability to attain or foster transferable skills of benefit to the developing Commonwealth
• Ways in which the Fellowship can be expected to have a catalytic effect on your return home

Make sure that in doing this you outline clearly and persuasively what you hope to gain through the leadership programme, the ways in which you will ensure that what you learn will be shared and disseminated on your return, and how this will impact the quality of teaching and learning in your school or region. Be as specific as you can about your objectives and what you would hope to achieve for your school or region through taking part in the programme.

Completed applications and references must arrive by Wednesday 11 May 2005. We regret that incomplete applications or applications received after this date cannot be considered.

 List of Eligible Commonwealth Countries

 * The Commission is currently unable to consider applicants from the Seychelles