LEADERSHIP in association with
CPD
www.usethekey.org.uk
The Netbook
Aiming for the top
revolution
The third annual
Headship Index
has revealed
that more
secondary teachers than
ever have their sights set
on the top job. David
Taylor spoke to two
newly appointed heads
ORE SECONDARY school
M
teachers than ever before
want to become heads.
The National College for
Leadership of Schools and
Children’s Services’ third
annual Headship Index has
revealed aspiration for headship is progressing year-on-
year, with a third of secondary teachers (33 per cent)
now declaring their desire for school leadership.
The Headship Index reveals that the desire to lead is
stronger among teachers than in other professions – 31
per cent of employees outside the teaching profession
aspire to reach the top job within their organisation,
compared to 41 per cent of the teaching population. school job, with nearly half (49 per cent) expressing many, but those embarking on their journey to headship and we are relentless in our focus of ensuring a steady
More than 180,000 teachers have their sights set their desire to lead a school, which was clearly the case are not alone, as National College chief executive Steve supply of the very best heads. We have many initiatives
on becoming a headteacher and one in 10 of these are for Adam. Munby told SecEd. in place to do this, such as Accelerate to Headship and
determined to get there in the next three years. Adam has progressed through the ranks at an “The development of the next generation of heads our network of national succession consultants who
With the race for the top well and truly on, two impressive rate. Not yet in his mid-30s, he has years is of paramount importance. We know headship is work at the grass roots with local authorities, governors
passionate educators who recently succeeded in their ahead of him to continue to make his mark and develop challenging but rewarding and it’s encouraging to see and dioceses.” SecEd
goal to achieve headship share their thoughts and his leadership skills. so many teachers wanting to make a difference to the
experiences with us here. Having made the transition from teacher to head, lives of children and young people. An increase in
Further information
Adam reflects on his decision and speaks about how the aspiration is good news for pupils and students, and For more on NPQH, visit www.nationalcollege.
Adam Reed
role has lived up to his expectations. harnessing this ambition is our number one priority. org.uk/npqh and for succession planning, visit
Adam, 34, recently progressed to headship at St “Having fulfilled my long-standing ambition to “The National College supports all school leaders www.nationalcollege.org.uk/successionplanning
Edmunds Catholic School in Kent, providing a great be a head of a school, I’m thrilled that I’m now in a
example of the high levels of aspiration amongst position to really make a difference to children’s lives.
secondary school teachers across the UK. St Edmunds I’ve found the first couple of terms in the role to be both
Leadership Q&A
is a performing arts college and has been awarded challenging and extremely rewarding – the support of
the status of “School for Innovation” by Creative an excellent team has been crucial to really establishing
Partnerships Kent. myself within the school and learning the ropes.”
Adam’s drive and ambition has allowed him to
How can we improve communication
achieve a headship role rapidly. Following a BTEC
Lynda Dobson
National Diploma in business studies, Adam began The Headship Index also shows talented secondary
with our parents?
his career in the private sector working as a manager teachers are being inspired by their current heads and
at supermarket giant Sainsbury’s, before the classroom there is a notable rise in the numbers wanting to follow EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION between the on curriculum issues, assessment and key
beckoned and he made the shift to a career in in their footsteps. school and his or her parents can make or break a transitional stages.
education. Lynda had enjoyed a much-loved role as assistant pupil’s experience of school. In any case, schools • Providing guidance on how parents can best
headteacher at Birkbeck School and Community Arts have a statutory duty to take account of the views support learning at home.
College in Lincolnshire for 17 years before fulfilling of parents. Alton College, a sixth form college in Hampshire,
‘
More than 180,000
her aspirations and making the step up to headship Forming a parents’ forum can provide a practical provides a charter for parents which explains that
when the school’s former headteacher moved on to a means of gathering ideas and views. It can also be the college hopes to establish a “close, three-way
new position. a useful way of keeping parents involved in school relationship between the college, the student and
teachers have
Working closely with her inspirational headteacher life. parents”. The college commits to consulting parents
for many years gave Lynda the confidence to take on To keep everyone in the loop, most schools and keeping them informed about important dates
their sights set on
the top leadership role. publish information about the activities of their and events in college.
On her headship, Lynda comments: “After spending parents’ forum on the school website and in the Parents are promised “the opportunity to consult
becoming a headteacher
17 years at Birkbeck, I’d developed a real sense of school newsletter. Ralph Sadleir Middle School in with teaching staff” about pupils’ “academic
loyalty and ownership towards it. When my headteacher Hertfordshire has an option to email comments to the progress and personal and social development”. In
left, I felt very passionately that this was my opportunity parents’ forum via the school website response, parents are expected to inform the college
and one in 10 of these
to take the reigns and continue driving us forward as a There are no hard and fast rules for setting up a if they have any concerns, attend parent consultation
school. In order to do this I knew that I needed to get parents’ forum. The key thing is to choose a structure meetings, and take notice of communications from
are determined to get
NPQH, which not only enabled me to be a head, but that works for you and your school community. the college. The charter lists various points of contact
also taught me a lot along the way. ” Schoolzone suggests asking parents to complete for different issues.
there in the next
As more and more aspiring heads embark on the a confidential survey at regular intervals. You could A number of schools use Twitter to keep parents
journey to headship, one in four cite the chance to make ask them about how well informed they feel about up-to-date with news on events and activities. During
a difference to children’s lives as their motivation, with the school, as well as getting their opinions on issues the recent bad weather there was a flurry of “tweets”
three years
Lynda agreeing that the best thing about working in such as how approachable they find school staff, from schools informing parents whether they would
education is “the spark you get from children every whether they think their child is being bullied or be open or closed and whether exams would go
time they learn something new”. harassed and so on. ahead. One example was Budehaven Community
Lynda has not only climbed the leadership ladder The result of the survey can be used to improve School in Cornwall: www.twitter.com/BudeSchool
After obtaining his degree in manag
’
ement and his herself, but is also dedicated to bringing other teachers school policy and identify gaps in communication. The best way to see how a school’s “tweets” keep
PGCE, Adam embarked on his teaching career, and through the ranks. She appreciates the importance of Providing regular information about important parents informed may be to explore existing Twitter
began on his path to headship, successfully gaining having a good succession plan in place within schools dates and the school’s expectations of parents is a pages yourself. You can easily find further examples
his National Professional Qualification for Headship where heads encourage more teachers to make the great way to begin the journey towards improved by searching online.
(NPQH). step up. communication.
In Easter 2009, Adam was appointed headteacher at “It’s really important to recognise and nurture A research project published by the Scottish
Claim your free trial of The Key
St Edmunds Catholic School, fulfilling his desires and aspiring heads – it’s a really rewarding profession and I government in 2005 compiled parents’ suggestions Answer by Fe McKerrell and Sarah Goodman,
ambitions to lead. On his progression to headship Adam can see why so many teachers are looking to headship,” for overcoming problems in communication between specialist researchers for The Key, a national
says: “I’d wanted to be a headteacher for some time, with she added. home and school. The aim was to increase parents’ guidance and support service for school leaders in
leadership and management always being my main focus The results of the Headship Index reveal that engagement with their children’s education. maintained schools in England. It provides tailor-
as I believe it’s the best way to really make a difference well over half of teachers (55 per cent) agree that Parents’ suggestions included: made practical answers to questions on all aspects
and have the most impact. I know my strengths lie in headteachers provide examples of good leadership. • Issuing year planners to provide information of school leadership and management. The Key
leadership and to help pupils achieve their full potential, Inspirational heads such as Lynda are crucial to about academic demands, exams and homework is offering a free trial to all maintained schools
I felt headship was the best way forward.” developing aspiring heads and play an important role in requirements in advance. in England until February 19. To sign up for free
The Headship Index also reveals teachers in the 30 nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. • Holding information evenings to update parents resources and guidance, go to www.usethekey.org.uk
to 44-year-old cohort are the most hungry for the top Stepping up to leadership may be daunting for
SecEd • January 28 2010 13
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