Partnership approach for NCSL National Succession Consultants

National Succession Consultants will be working in partnership with local authorities, dioceses and other organisations from September, to support the development of strategies to bring on the next generation of headteachers. This forms a key element of the campaign by the National College for School Leadership for succession planning.

The high calibre consultants will each be working in a particular region*, and will be meeting with partners over the coming weeks to identify priorities and next steps.

Geoff Southworth, NCSL's Deputy Chief Executive, said: "The National Succession Consultants will play a vital role in the Tomorrow's Leaders Today campaign. They bring a wealth of expertise from their own backgrounds and from NCSL's pilot activity. Partners will be able to benefit from this experience, so that robust strategies can be developed that are appropriate to the local context."

National Succession Consultants will be a key resource to work with local partners, offering expertise and advice to develop existing strategies and establish local solutions that will inspire the next generation of headteachers and retain the skills and experience of heads already in the profession.
They'll also be highlighting innovative and effective practice from NCSL's pilot including coaching, mentoring and job shadowing programmes; as well as ways in which Fast Track, Trainee Heads and Future Leaders programmes can develop talent where it is most needed.

In addition, NCSL has produced publications and online resources that provide partners, aspiring heads, governors and heads with the practical support they need.

Stella Blackmore is one of the National Succession Consultants for the West Midlands. She said: "The task of identifying, growing and developing future leaders has never been more important. We know that strong leadership based on sound values is vital to secure the best life chances for our young people today, and for generations to come. Effective succession planning at national and local level is essential to make sure that we can identify talented staff as early as possible in their careers.

"I feel privileged to be able to draw on my local authority experience and my career spent in schools as I begin work as a National Succession Consultant. I'm looking forward to meeting a wide ranging group of colleagues in the region, as well as being part of a well respected national team."

Dr John Dunford, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), which is supporting the initiative, said:

"The shortage of applicants for head teacher posts has existed for too long. There is no more important National College programme than succession planning, which must produce increased numbers of teachers keen to take on the top job in every locality, but particularly in the south east,. This is especially important in the years 2008 to 2011 when the number of retirements from headship will be at their highest ever."

Mick Brookes, General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said:

"The NCSL's work on succession planning is absolutely crucial to the future of education in the UK. We therefore welcome the involvement of succession consultants drawn from the profession. We would expect these experienced professionals to focus on recruitment and more crucially on retention."

Judith Bennett, Chair of National Governors' Association said:

"Governors will welcome NCSL's work in this area. There are governing bodies across the country who see headteacher recruitment as a problem, and the College's work to make the recruitment easier and deal with the whole issue of succession planning is warmly welcomed by the National Governors' Association."
*The nine regions and the NSCs working within them are: