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Women in Leadership
Name: Hilary Adli (née Ball)
Role: Associate Professor at UCL
Company: IOE, UCL’s Faculty for Education and Society
A bit about you: My name is Hilary, I am 54 years old, and I live in a small village in Hampshire with my husband and three children. I have a son who is 8 years old and twin girls who have just turned 7 and I work full-time as an Associate Professor at what was previously called The Institute of Education and is now part of University College London. (UCL)
I enjoyed a 25-year career in inner London schools, first as a teacher and then as school leader. I lead the very busiest of lives managing a challenging career and a house full of lunatics! (Yes, I do include my husband in that.) I have always been a bit of an extrovert and was an avid sportswoman when younger playing County netball, national league volleyball and club hockey (in the distant past you understand). Now, when I have time, I love to paint, to walk in the beautiful Hampshire countryside and spend time with my family and friends whom I value above anything. I wasn’t always as confident as I am now when I was at school, I wish I had been.
What is it like working in your company? I am deeply proud to work as an Associate Professor in The Centre for Educational Leadership at UCL. My role involves designing and facilitating programmes of professional development for school leaders at all levels both in the UK and internationally. This role enables me to use my 25 years' experience as a teacher and leader to have a real impact on schools and the way they are led but, ultimately, to have an impact on the young people that they support. In addition, I lead the delivery of UCL’s Early Career Framework Programme, providing evidence-based professional development programmes for Early Career Teachers and Mentors across the country. I am also currently involved in facilitating a National programme in Spain for Spanish Headteachers. My work is deeply rewarding, and I am privileged to work for an institution that has been named number 1 in the world for Education for 8 consecutive years and have a role that enables academic research to be meaningfully applied in school settings.
Why did you decide to go into your chosen field? I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was a small child. I wanted to combine my love of sports with my wish to teach- So, a PE teacher was a good fit. That is how I started. I then became a middle leader, both subject based and pastoral and my final school-based role was as a school leader in an inner-London 11- 18 comprehensive, a challenging role that I loved.
What qualifications and work experience did you need to reach your current position? I did a B.Ed degree at The University of Reading that paved the way for me to become a teacher, I then did a National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). For my current role, it is my many years of experience of being a teacher and a school leader that is a prerequisite for success. I have a deep understanding of the challenges school leaders face at grass roots level and can ensure I design professional development programmes that are relevant and meaningful whilst also balancing theory with practice. I did not work hard enough at school or gain the qualifications that I could have; I wish I had done myself justice then.
What do you enjoy the most about your job? I make a difference now; I made a difference then! – I am, for example, proud that many of the new teachers I supported through my career are now Headteachers and school leaders themselves.
Since March 2020 work for me is a hybrid model, mostly working from home which affords me more quality time with my young family. I am proud that, through my work with The Early Career Framework where I work directly with DfE, I have been able, with my colleagues, to slowly influence Government policy and practice. I work with amazing people and am challenged professionally every day. I can honestly say that there has not been one day in my current role where I have not wanted to go to work – I am lucky! Most important to me is that, as a confident, successful woman, I am a role model for my daughters, and for my son.
What obstacles have you overcome in your career? In truth, lots! Way too many to list.
Unusually, I had my family very late in life – my son when I was 45 and my twin girls when I was 47. With three children under 2 years old, I knew I needed to change tack because I didn’t want to work so very hard to have a family and then invest more time in my job as a school leader than in them. I was fortunate to have a choice, I know that many don’t. I dug deep, put on my ‘Big Girl Pants’ and started my own company as an education consultant, I loved working for myself and being a Company Director and this afforded me the opportunity to work more flexibly. When an opportunity presented itself at UCL, I took it with both hands, and I have never looked back!
I started working at UCL part-time whilst managing family life too, as many do. It is always a challenge to attempt to work as if you don’t have children and to be a mother as if you don’t work, some days I got it right, others not so much! I now also facilitate a Women in Leadership programme for women aspiring for Headship in schools and I know that I can offer challenge and support to participants to boost their confidence whilst being truly empathetic.
I worked with my fair share of headteachers and other school leaders, both male and female who were intimidated by my strength, my ability to form relationships and the fact that I was always unapologetically myself. I stood by my principles and leadership style despite pressure to change, and I am proud that I did. Be strong enough to be you!
Why do you think it is important to have a strong female representation in your industry? I love being a role model to other women and try to always lead by example. I am fortunate to be surrounded by confident, intelligent, professional, yet feisty women who support each other. I am also surrounded by men with integrity who value our strength and draw on it in the same way that we draw on theirs. No gender dominates in my industry– Our workplace is built on integrity, trust and respect, both for our roles and for each other.
What advice would you give those wanting to take a similar career path? Teaching is, arguably the best career in the world – A career where you have the opportunity to shape young lives and make a difference. Teaching is a calling, a vocation, a way of life. Do it!
You need a degree, which means that GCSEs and A levels (or equivalent) are a must. Plan a career in teaching with the end in mind. If you veer towards secondary / 6th form, think about what subject would you wish to teach, make sure it is something you are passionate about and then ensure your degree course is focused on that. Then, choose A levels that support the subject. If primary, or EYFS is your aim, you get to be an all-rounder! The skills you learn as a teacher are transferable to many other roles, as I have learnt.
My advice: be unapologetically yourselves ladies and embrace anything that makes you different.
