Programme runs over a period of two academic years

The National Programme for New and Acting Headteachers is available to newly appointed and acting Headteachers in Wales.  The Programme is delivered by the Regional Consortia and their partners and has been endorsed by the National Academy of Educational Leadership.

The programme provides a common entitlement, with a degree of flexibility, to meet the specific needs and contexts of colleagues in different settings and geographical areas. It is designed to ensure that, wherever you are as a new Headteacher in Wales, you have access to the same high quality professional learning as your colleagues.

The key aspects of the programme are:

• It subscribes in its design to the Regional Professional Learning Model
• The content is based on the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership, Developing Schools in Wales as Learning Organisations and Education in Wales: Our National Mission
• The duration of the programme and sequencing of learning activities is consistent across Wales
• There are common expectations about the progress that will be made by participants and how this will impact on their leadership practice

Although a national programme, it is coordinated through the regions and the key contact details for the delivery of this programme in your area are shown below:

AUDIENCE

The National Programme for New and Acting Headteachers is written for individuals who are newly appointed to post.

PURPOSE

The programme has been designed to support New Headteachers to obtain the information they need to work effectively on a local basis along with providing individual development focusing on the knowledge and skills required to become a successful Headteacher.

DELIVERY METHOD

The programme takes place over a two-year period and requires a commitment of the equivalent of eight days during this time. Formal accreditation is available, and participants can opt for this.

All activities undertaken as part of this programme are delivered in Welsh, English or bilingually.

Registration is through a national process which requires the endorsement of the individual’s Chair of Governors.

The programme is structured in three phases:

Phase 1: pre-programme work including a formal handover and an individual ‘self-analysis’ against the Formal Leadership Standards.

Phase 2: Year 1 of headship. This will consist of a five-day  National and regional  development programme focusing on gaining  the knowledge and skills required to develop as a successful headteacher.  This will be supported by local peer collaboration groups led by a Leadership Coach who will be an experienced Headteacher.

Phase 3: Year 2 of headship.  Continued peer support led by the Leadership Coach. There will be one day during the final term of the programme where all participants will  be able to discuss, share and reflect upon their experiences and successes as a new headteacher.

Registration 

The expectation is that the Programme will be completed by all New and Acting Headteachers across Wales, with access to the Programme from your first September in post. [Acting Headteachers are eligible if they are expected to be in post for at least two terms].