Headteacher Essentials Programme Cohort 3

10 July 2026, ASCL HQ, Leicester

Why?
An exploration of your ‘why?’ as a new headteacher, the importance of communicating it through word and deed. An insight into how leadership behaviours can impact the school community and how to develop your presence as a headteacher.

Staff and Headteacher wellbeing
Wellbeing in schools is high priority (and rightly so) but also challenging given the pressures faced by school leaders and staff to ensure a high quality education in economically uncertain times. Just as important as staff wellbeing is that of the headteacher. Explore practical strategies for both.

15 September 26 | Online

An effective communications strategy is essential for the smooth running of any school. This session will look at the why, what, how and when of communication. This covers internal as well as external comms as well as exploring the challenges of social media.

5 October 2026 | Online

It is not unusual for new heads to inherit staff who appear to be underperforming. One of the toughest aspects of the job is to challenge underperformance and, when the support and development doesn’t work, to hold colleagues accountable to their professional responsibilities. This session covers the essential conditions and culture that must exist to support staff before moving to a process that could ultimately lead to someone losing their job.

19 November 2026 | Online

The most common topic for which heads seek advice from colleagues and their professional associations is related to challenging parents. This session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to formulate an effective strategy for managing parents, from handling major incidents to dealing with complex complaints.

7 December 2026 | Online

As the teacher recruitment crisis deepens, it is more important than ever to have a well thought out retention strategy. This session explores effective strategies for keeping staff as well as innovative ideas for making your school an attractive destination for new and experienced teachers.

17 January 2027 | Online

Time is precious and the head’s to-do list is never ending. Do you just work hard or do you work smart? A session that supports time efficiency, delegation and the ability to make more effective decisions, especially when dealing with non-educational scenarios.

3 February 2027 | Online

School improvement is often hampered by poor or underdeveloped infrastructure (IT, site, HR, finance etc). Learn clear and effective strategies for business development and risk management in order that you can keep the main thing the main thing.

13 April 2027 | Online

One of the most powerful levers for school improvement is developing the people you lead. This session explores how to identify potential, provide meaningful development opportunities, and build a culture of growth across your team. Learn how to lead professional development, grow future leaders, and ensure every colleague adds value.

5 May 2027 | Online

The best schools understand their place in the heart of the community, the best school leaders understand their civic duty. Learn how to develop exceptional community links to benefit from your community and the business world.

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

This programme is suitable for new headteachers and heads of school, and those aspiring to headship in the near future

• 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.