“The week’s residential should be a must for all head teachers."

Head Teachers Leadership Academy Graduate - read her story

head teachers leadership academy

Introduction | Focus | Outcomes | Components | More information


Introduction to the Programme

The Head Teacher Leadership Academy brings together up to 15 individuals who share similar leadership challenges. This has and can operate in a number of ways, for example, with:

  • Head Teachers committed to transforming their school and the experience of their students, teachers and the wider community. This can focus on Head Teachers within school clusters or across authority boundaries to give diversity of views and build up learning and networks across
  • Head teachers and their equivalents in social work services so as to make the vision of integrated children's services a practical reality
  • Strategic leaders in education such as Directors of Education, their deputies and Heads of Service

Gaining commitment and leadership at the most senior levels is absolutely critical to the realisation programmes of renewal. They help to form the wider context that can start a wave of change. Creating supportive and productive networks across the system can help to embed a positive spirit and build resilience. Building bridges and alliances across the various layers of the system will be crucial in creating common purpose.

 


Programme Focus

The role of Head Teachers in has been recognised as critical in the improvement of the education and lives of young Scots. And thereby the future of Scotland. A school is so often a reflection of its Head Teacher but in their constant drive to improve the performance of our schools, how often have Head Teachers stopped to think about why they became an educator?  How ready are Head Teachers to see themselves as social leaders?

The cultures that Head Teachers create and direct set the standard for teachers, students, communities and the interface between all three. This leadership responsibility is easily lost in the busy day-to-day management and administration of schools.

The programme allows participants the time and space to focus on developing a growing awareness of self and the choices they have made and make as leaders. 

This is a pivotal personal experience for leaders within our school communities and cornerstones of our society. It is a rare opportunity for participants to stop, reflect and take a perspective on what their school and their leadership could yet become.

 

Programme Outcomes

Participants can expect, by the end of the residential component of the programme to have:

Awareness
Increasing awareness of themselves as leaders and better awareness of the potential in other.

Focus
An understanding of what is important and choosing to act on this

Creativity
A belief that cycles and patterns in your life can be changed

Integrity
Greater awareness of your own potential and remaining true to it

Perseverance
A sense of resilience in the face of challenges

Service
A belief that you can have a positive impact on your community

Programme Components

The desire to take part in the programme and the ability to commit to the pre residential preparation session and the Skye component is important.

Pre Residential Preparation Session

  • One and a half day residential held approximately two weeks prior to the 6 days in Skye
  • Held in Central Scotland

Residential

  • 6 day intensive residential
  • Columba 1400, Staffin, Isle of Skye, IV51 9JY

More information

Fore more information, please contact
Anne Wexelstein
Programme Director – School Leadership, Columba 1400.  
Telephone: 0131 557 9320