EARLY HEADSHIP PROVISION

The Southern Educational Leadership Trust is the contract holder for Early Headship in three regions of England:

• South East
• South West
• London

Key Features of the Programme

Early Headship Provision is for all new headteachers in their first three years of headship. It aims to provide a coherent and personalised experience for new heads which meets their current and emerging needs.

The focus of the provision is very much on a personalised experience, which is relevant to the needs of the new headteacher and their particular context. New heads may choose from a range of opportunities and activities, which will impact on their leadership effectiveness and school improvement.

Provision is funded nationally. Currently the amount is £2500. Of this £1200 is ring-fenced for New Visions, an innovative leadership programme, which is the core of Early Headship Provision. In addition, many Governing Bodies contribute a further £500 to the professional development of their new headteachers. Very often this contribution is used for an experienced headteacher mentor to support the incoming head. Acting headteachers can also access Early Headship funding.

What will I gain from the Programme?

Early Headship Provision is intended to be complementary to Local Authority and Diocesan induction arrangements but key to its effectiveness is a structured needs analysis in the initial stages of headship. A range of on-line technologies support leadership learning within Early Headship. New heads can access, plan, and review their own Learning Pathway.

Feedback from the Early Headship Provision (New Visions) is overwhelmingly positive.

Networking opportunities are especially valued:

“I have found networking to be absolutely invaluable when trying to find solutions to problems or just trying to think of ways to improve the school.”

“I don’t feel like a head anymore. I feel like a leader. I am talked to as a leader, trained as a leader.”