This programme is aimed at colleagues beginning and those already in their first year as headteachers and will explore how the jigsaw pieces of headship fit together when leading a school community.
The programme’s objective is to ensure that in your first year you:
- think like a head
- make decisions like a head
- be a head
This year-long programme features a combination of online sessions, a face-to-face day at ASCL HQ, and individual coaching sessions. The format will provide opportunities to learn through action learning, ask questions, and talk and share experiences in a safe group environment. There will be input from guest speakers on specialisms such as financial planning. The programme will also offer a community of leaders the chance to make connections with colleagues also experiencing headship for the first time.
We will use familiar models such as Johari’s Window, Maslow’s Triangle and the Kubler Ross Curve to develop effective routines, planning and change. New headteachers draw on many previous skills and experiences but with the added challenge and excitement of fronting many events and situations for the first time. The programme will provide the opportunity to explore and learn the emotions and competency skills necessary to be able to “survive and thrive”.
Participants will explore personal and whole-school
- values
- resilience and wellbeing
- priorities
- vision
- legacy
The programme
Three 90-minute, theme-based, online workshops.
Two 30-minute individual online coaching sessions on a topic of your choice (times and dates to be arranged individually).
The workshops
Twilight time, 4-5.30pm. Delegates are encouraged to participate in all sessions to gain maximum benefit from this programme.
The sessions will be a mixture of new learning but always with a focus on personal skills, emotions and competencies. Group discussions will enable sharing of your highlights and concerns in a safe and confidential environment.
- Workshop 1: Personal leadership, competencies, being a resilient leader and developing a resilient team (8 October 2025)
- Workshop 2: Setting out a strategic, resourced and financed plan (10 December 2025)
- Workshop 3: Building a Legacy: reflecting on your ambitions for the future (4 March 2026)
- The fourth session will be face-to-face at ASCL HQ, Leicester on Thursday 9 July 2026, 9.30am – 4pm
Workshop outline
- Group chat about an individual area of development (15 minutes).
- Discussion based on the main session theme with reflection on how to develop (45 minutes).
- Group work on action learning (share a personal highlight or concern and discuss a solution) (30 minutes).
- Any materials used will be shared.
- This outline is provisional and will be directed by the group’s needs.