The aim of the Associate Headteacher Programme (formerly the Trainee Headteacher Programme) is to encourage deputy headteachers to step up into headship in schools in challenging contexts, through a combination of hands-on experience, national development days and external mentoring support.
The programme is centred around a placement for the associate head in a local school, which is in challenging circumstances but has strong leadership, and the capacity for the headteacher to mentor the associate and provide a hands-on experience of headship in the school.
The placement is supported by 12 development days (6 2-day events), which provide focused learning and networking opportunities. Each associate is also allocated an experienced external mentor to support the placement and his/her development.
Impact data shows that the majority of participants move into headship within a year of the programme and are more confident and competent in taking on the role. The system also benefits from the succession opportunities created by the internships and the shared learning across schools.
All costs of the development days and the external mentoring will be met by NCSL.
NCSL is looking to work with local authorities to support experienced deputy headteachers into headships of schools in challenging contexts.
All local authorities are invited to be part of the September 2009 cohort. There are 90 places on the programme nationally and priority will be given to proposals from local authorities within the three City Challenge regions of London, Greater Manchester and the Black Country, followed by local authorities that are already receiving NCSL targeted support for National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) graduates under NCSL’s succession planning programme. For this cohort, we are also particularly interested in applications supporting leadership issues (relating to succession and attainment) in rural primary schools.
If you are a deputy headteacher and are interested in the programme, you will need to speak with your local authority. NCSL cannot accept applications from individuals.
For further information about the programme, please contact Michelle Holmes or Kath Carter at [email protected] or on 0115 872 3824.