To make the best decisions possible, middle leaders need to have a nuanced understanding of the consequences of their actions. In this pragmatic book, Adam Robbins aims to boost their role-specific expertise to help them achieve that goal - and offers them a preferable alternative to learning from their mistakes. Instead of relying on generic leadership theories, Middle Leadership Mastery collates perspectives from psychology and cognitive science to share evidence-informed guidance on a wide range of topics - from supporting staff and students in crisis and managing wellbeing, to quality-assuring teaching and curriculum design. Adam Robbins draws on his sixteen years' experience of teaching in a deprived area to illustrate his points with stories and anecdotes from the front line, demonstrating how middle leaders can better understand their context and deliver the best outcomes from a variety of starting points.

Adam Robbins is a head of department at a large comprehensive school. He oversees science and supports teacher development across the school. He is the managing editor at CogSciSci, a grassroots organisation aimed at bringing the findings of cognitive science to the classroom, and is often invited to talk on issues of teaching, learning and pastoral matters, speaking at events like the PiXL, researchED and ASE conferences.

Never has there been a more crucial time to improve middle leadership. For many years school inspections have focused on data-driven outcomes and the role of senior leaders in driving school improvement; recently, however, the focus has shifted to curriculum and middle leadership. This has left middle leaders under increased pressure to be able to justify their actions and decisions.

Instead of relying on generic leadership theories, Middle Leadership Mastery collates perspectives from psychology, sociology, cognitive science and Silicon Valley CEOs to share evidence-informed guidance on a wide range of topics - from designing a curriculum and quality assuring teaching to supporting staff and students in crisis and managing well-being.

Adam Robbins draws on his 16 years' experience of teaching in a deprived area to illustrate his points with stories and anecdotes from the front line, demonstrating how middle leaders can better understand their context and deliver the best outcomes from a variety of starting points.