Help Design New Leadership Development Programmes in the Region
Whats the problem?
In 2010 there were a total of 450 Executive Heads in England. We don’t have accurate figures for the number now but we know there are at least 66 leaders with that or a similar title in our region alone. Alongside this we see a dramatic increase in the numbers of deputy heads being catapulted into headship positions with little notice or preparation. Again, numbers are uncertain but we know of at least 40 in just two of the region’s LA areas.
As the number of heads in charge of more than one school has increased, the role has grown even more diverse. And, in the West Midlands at least, people consulted by the regional Teaching Schools Council felt that they had few opportunities to prepare or develop themselves in the role. A similar issue emerged around deputy/acting heads.
Supporting the development of leaders in the region
So Richard Gill, West Midlands TSC Member, submitted a proposal to the National College’s ‘Targeted Support Fund’ to create some local programmes for Executive Head and ‘unprepared head’ development and that bid has been successful. A distinctive feature of these programmes is that they will be co-designed with the intended participants. That exercise kicks off with an on-line survey which in turn feeds in to a number of ‘specification and design’ invitation workshops in November and December.
What should you do?
So, if you are a leader in the region, and particularly if you are an executive head, an acting head or a middle system leader, please fill out one or more of the online surveys listed below. If you know people in one of those roles, please encourage them to complete the survey. The fuller the response the better we will be able to fit the programmes to the needs. The survey will also give you the opportunity to say if you would like to be further involved in the development and delivery process.
The surveys are accessed via the following links:
- Executive Heads
- Unprepared Heads
The survey asks respondents to say if they are willing and interested in participating in one of the design workshops. The dates for these are:
- Executive Heads - Tuesday 6th December from 9.30 - 12.30
- Unprepared Heads - Thursday 24th November from 9.30 - 12.30
For more information contact Paul Crisp or Kelvin Peel, West Midlands Teaching Schools Co-ordinator. Read the full text of the invitation (emailed around the region on 31 October) here.