Headteacher Essentials Programme

Empowering new headteachers to lead with confidence from day one

The ASCL Headteacher Essentials Programme is designed specifically to complement the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), equipping new headteachers in England with the practical tools and insights they need to succeed in this ever-evolving environment.

This programme goes beyond theoretical frameworks and addresses real-life challenges that school leaders face daily, from managing staff and parental relationships to fostering an inclusive, ethical leadership culture in challenging times.

Programme highlights
Delivered through nine, online twilight sessions of between 60–90 minutes, the programme concludes with a face-to-face day at ASCL’s headquarters in Leicester.

Sessions cover the following essential topics that will shape your success as a headteacher:

Speakers

Mon 18 November, 4 - 5.30pm: Discovering Your ‘Why?’

Explore your purpose as a headteacher and the critical importance of aligning your leadership behaviours with the values of your school community.

Thurs 5 December, 4 - 5.30pm: Crafting vision and culture

Learn to develop and communicate a compelling vision that drives your school forward and fosters stakeholder buy-in.

Weds 22 January, 4 - 5.30pm: Navigating parental engagement

Gain practical strategies for managing complex relationships with parents, including communication techniques and managing major incidents.

Thurs 13 February, 4 - 5.30pm: Effective communication strategies

Build a robust communication plan for both internal and external stakeholders, including mastering social media and crisis communication.

Fri 21 March, 10.30am - 12pm: Managing underperformance

Tackle one of the toughest aspects of leadership - managing underperformance - with clear processes that balance support and accountability.

Weds 30 April, 4 - 5.30pm: Prioritising staff and headteacher wellbeing

Explore sustainable wellbeing strategies for both you and your staff, ensuring balance amid the pressures of school leadership.

Mon 12 May, 4 - 5.30pm: Recruitment and retention

Discover innovative strategies for attracting and retaining staff in the current educational climate.

Thurs 10 June, 4 - 5.30pm: Understanding civic duty

Strengthen your school's ties to the community and understand the value of civic responsibility for long-term school success.

Tues 8 July, 9am - 4pm: Face-to-face day

Infrastructure and risk management: learn essential business development and risk management strategies to ensure your school's infrastructure supports growth and learning.

As a culmination of the programme, join your fellow participants for a full day of practical workshops and networking at ASCL’s headquarters in Leicester. This final session will reinforce the learning from the twilight sessions and offer you direct access to experienced leaders for further guidance and inspiration.

Fee

£799 + VAT for members.
£899 + VAT for non-members.

Suitable for

This programme is suitable for new headteachers and heads of school.

Why choose this programme?

Designed for new headteachers based in England.
Focused on the specific challenges of leading schools in England.
Led and delivered by experienced school leaders, headteachers, and executive leaders who understand the practical realities of school leadership today.
Interactive and practical.
Each session is designed to be highly interactive, providing real-world scenarios, discussions, and tools that can be immediately applied.