Endorse the Tomorrow's leaders today campaign
Guidelines for use of the Tomorrow's leaders today endorsement
The succession planning challenge
Statistics forecast that between 2009 and 2011 a large number of current heads are due to retire. If trends continue, there is the potential that there will not be enough aspiring heads to replace them.
Everyone in education has a key role to respond to this challenge. We must develop more leaders, more quickly, and of the right quality and quantity than we have done previously: at present, the average age for a headteacher to be appointed to their first headship role is 42 for primary schools and 45 in secondary schools.
We need to improve the diversity of our school leaders, increasing the number of women and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) candidates coming forward for headship.
We also need to consider more flexible approaches to school leadership, for example by considering new models of headship.
What is the Tomorrow's leaders today campaign?
Tomorrow's leaders today is a national campaign that provides a focus for organisations working together to help schools find, develop and keep great headteachers. These organisations include schools, local authorities, dioceses, governors and others developing local solutions that are appropriate to the local context.
NCSL is supporting this activity by providing resources and sharing expertise across the system.
How can I use this endorsement?
Organisations which are developing activities to support succession planning may want to use the Tomorrow's Leaders Today endorsement, so that participants recognise that they are part of a major campaign to help schools find the right leaders at the right time.
What does this endorsement say about your organisation and the activities that you offer?
Participants who see this endorsement should expect to experience high quality, inclusive activities that work in partnership with others to support the core aim of the campaign: to find, develop and keep great headteachers. By using the endorsement you are demonstrating your commitment to achieving this aim.
Where can I go for further information?
This web portal provides resources, diagnostic tools, case studies and inspiration to meet the needs of four key audience groups in the campaign: aspiring headteachers; headteachers; governors: partners, including local authorities, diocesan boards, school groups and networks.
Email: tomorrowsleaderstoday@ncsl.org.uk
Phone: 0845 609 0009
