LEADERSHIP
Leading the future
he headTeacher crisis is a not
T
a new phenomenon. With numerous
With the current leadership recruitment crisis in
and leading the introduction of a new curriculum,
improving attendance and punctuality by 75 per cent,
heads retiring this summer, and
overwhelming disillusionment schools, one organisation is trying to stem the
writing a new timetable and turning around a struggling
humanities department to redefining the approach to
causing hundreds of potential leaders achievement across the school, encouraging over 70
to exit the profession, there is a serious
tide, and develop leaders who can change the
per cent of teachers to consistently deliver outstanding
deficit of inspirational teachers ready lessons, raising attainment by 95 per cent at key stage 3
to take on the challenge of running a school: a shortfall
which will leave thousands of children without the
face of urban education. Emma Mills explains
and improving results at key stage 4.
But it is not simply the impact on achievement that a
kind of schooling necessary to afford them every Future Leader can make in the school which encourages
opportunity in life. a member of the senior leadership team in an urban Participants themselves have equally noted the heads to offer a residency place. For Sir Michael
The need for great leaders is perhaps most pertinent secondary school, after which participants apply for aspirant quality to the scheme, and speak particularly Wilshaw, headteacher at Mossbourne academy in
in urban secondary schools situated in areas of high positions as deputies or assistant heads, and eventually highly of the Future Leaders ethos. hackney, north London, the effect that Future Leader
social deprivation. These schools are challenging and headteachers. “I got involved with Future Leaders because I Peter hughes had on the rest of the staff was crucial.
complex places to work, often with mountains to climb What perhaps sets Future Leaders apart from other believe fundamentally in what it stands for. every child he explained: “What’s been interesting is the impact
in terms of attainment – only 40 per cent of pupils in professional development programmes is its insistence does matter; they are incredibly important. Our job as Peter’s had on the rest of the senior leadership team, and
deprived areas have a chance of achieving five good on five key criteria: every child, No excuses, high educators is to make sure every child is as successful how they see their careers progressing. Joining a team
GcSes, compared with 75 per cent of pupils living in expectations, Lead Learning, and No Islands. as they can be,” continued Simon carter, from the where people haven’t thought about headship before
highly affluent areas. The overall theme is that every child has the right 2007 Future Leaders cohort, who is now working as a actually convinces other teachers to really think about
equally, many of the children attending these to high standards of excellent education, and that heads deputy head at acton School. their own potential. It’s no accident that other teachers
schools come from fractured communities exposed to should be committed to developing leaders of the future Peter hyman, a Future Leader from the same have started to look at the programme, and this is vital
drugs, violence and gangs, and often have numerous and working with other schools to create sustainable year, who moved from politics to teaching because to get more aspirant headteachers filling the gap.”
behavioural and social problems. They are difficult improvement across the education system. he felt frustrated by his inability to make a difference, While there is still a lot of work to be done – the
places to work; the pressure on the leaders of these For recruits, the programme offers the opportunity agrees. he told SecEd: “Where the programme differs programme has been running for just three years and
schools is immense. and yet, in some of these schools, to work with and learn from an outstanding urban from other professional development is that it has only operates in London and Manchester, though it
where heads demonstrate outstanding and exceptional headteacher with support from a dedicated leadership a missionary quality to it, a sense of determination rolls out in Merseyside and the West Midlands this
leadership, numerous pupils are outperforming their coach, to train with education leaders and visit that a Future Leader can really truly change an urban year – it is clear that it is opening doors to leadership
most affluent peers. and so it is here that Future exemplary schools in the UK and US, and also earn a school.” and change.
Leaders, an organisation dedicated to developing salary while learning. changing, and having a positive impact on, an and while the organisation must continue to ensure
inspirational leaders, is concentrating all of its efforts For the schools who host the residency year, it is, urban school, forms a key part of the Future Leaders the highest quality teachers are exposed to only the
to ensure that outstanding leadership is no longer an at its most basic, the opportunity to add an excellent programme. highest quality leaders, as well as maintaining a rigorous
exception, but a standard. teacher at a subsidised rate to the senior leadership team, Jessie Kaur, who spent her residency year and a and exacting selection process, the appointment of the
Future Leaders is a fast-track leadership programme but also provides an enthusiastic and dedicated leader subsequent second year, at Park high School in harrow first Future Leader from the 2006 cohort to a headship
supported by the National college for School who can bring a new dynamic to the school, as well as in north London was heavily committed to raising the in Lewisham in south London signifies that they are on
Leadership, absolute return for Kids, the department a commitment to high standards and achievement. attainment of 40 of the most underachieving pupils, and the right track.
for children, Schools and Families, and the Specialist It is an attractive scheme, but one that requires a accomplished unprecedented results, with 90 per cent The coming years will reveal more fully if the
Schools and academies Trust. huge commitment from participants, who not only have of pupils gaining a grade B in literacy and numeracy, scheme is consistently providing the kind of leadership
In its own words, it “seeks to expand the pool from to take the risk of quitting their current roles to enter the enabling all of them to gain college places. needed to fill the recruitment gap. SecEd
which headteachers can be found for urban complex Future Leaders programme, but who are also expected added to this, she improved and developed the way
schools by recruiting from non-traditional sources and to make a considerable impact on their residency subject departments are reviewed, successfully bid for a • Emma Mills is a freelance education journalist.
providing a model for changing attitudes to recruitment school. This however, according to one head, is what £30,000 grant for an extended school science initiative
of senior staff.” makes them an inspiring leader to have in any school. which she is now project managing, helped change
Further information
The idea is to recruit current or ex-teachers who “Future leaders are natural risk-takers, which you teacher attitudes towards the lowest achieving pupils, Future Leaders is now recruiting for schools and
are committed to making a difference for every child need if you want to improve something. They’re delivered cPd to enable teachers to deliver consistently applicants in the West Midlands and Merseyside.
by driving lasting change and achievement in urban also ambitious and dynamic, with a clear drive and outstanding lessons, wrote numerous governors’ reports, Future Leaders is not-for-profit and does not charge
schools as an outstanding headteacher. The fast- determination to raise standards,” explained delia and project managed several outreach programmes. fees for helping to place applicants. Potential applicants,
track scheme consists of a rigorous selection process, Smith, headteacher of St angela’s Ursuline School in Other Future Leaders have had equal success in their or schools wishing take on or recruit a Future Leader,
some foundation training, a one-year residency as Newham in east London. schools, with their achievements ranging from launching should visit www.future-leaders.org.uk
SecEd • April 23 2009 13
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