Leadership Scholarship programme case study: Azaan Akbar
How has taking part in the Leadership Scholarship Programme shaped or transformed your development as a leader?
Taking part in the Leadership Scholarship Programme has given me (at least!) 3 things that have shaped my development towards a leader: opportunity, direction and confidence.
The programme has offered me a myriad of opportunities to share and learn new ideas, forge lasting connections, and be a part of interesting spaces to develop my work. I now have a clearer direction of what I want my career to look like, and how I can foster that as Religious Education moves towards an exciting future. Above all else, I have the confidence to say that I am a leader in my field, and I can support other practitioners in developing high-quality RE.
What impact has the programme had on your practice, your school or organisation, or the wider religion and worldviews education community?
Through the programme, I have become a much more confident practitioner, and have developed specialisms in areas such as oracy, critical thinking and assessment. I have been able to take new ideas I have learned to my school and improve our practice as a department, despite not being a Middle Leader. Over the course of the programme, I was able to transition into consultancy work, and now deliver CPD training across the country. The programme specifically helped me to make this transition, and I see how my work is influencing the practice of teachers of RE and the humanities in England.
What did you find most valuable about the programme?
My favourite aspects of the programme were my mentors, the reading groups and the events. My mentors were invaluable in helping me grow and build my career, as they directed me towards opportunities I might not otherwise have taken. The reading groups gave me an opportunity to explore the ongoing academic research in RE, which I was particularly interested in. Being able to debate and discuss issues with my peers helped me learn a lot! The camaraderie we built as we tackled challenging texts together presented itself in events like the AREIAC Conference and Strictly RE, where I didn’t feel like I was sheepishly attending conferences alone. It felt like I had colleagues and friends with me, who could support me, and I could support back.
Where has your journey taken you since completing the programme, and how has it helped you take the next step in your career?
Since completing the programme, I have continued to develop my work as a consultant, advising schools and local authorities on RE work. I am currently working on a public speaking project in the London Borough of Camden, training Sixth-Form students to become confident speakers who go into primary and secondary schools to deliver talks about their lived religious experience. I was also recently accepted for a Fulbright Scholarship to complete a 5-month teacher research programme in the United States, where I will be exploring the impacts of AI and social media on students’ critical thinking skills.
Why do you think people should apply to the Leadership Scholarship programme?
People should apply to the Leadership Scholarship programme if they want any or all of the following:
1) to craft a new direction for their career,
2) to meet knowledgeable and wonderful practitioners, and
3) to gain confidence as a leader in Religion & Worldviews.
This programme has done all of the above and more for me, and anyone wanting to transform their careers and be a part of the change in RE should most certainly apply.