Management Information Sheet
Handing over Headship - a succession planning toolkit for school governors
A succession planning toolkit for school governors
The 'Handing over Headship' toolkit is offered to school governors as an example of best practice and draws upon research undertaken in Hertfordshire and Norfolk Local Authorities.
The toolkit has been designed to help governors in two ways:
Firstly, to support and strengthen school leadership when handing over headship by:
The way in which governors manage the transition from one leader to another will determine how securely the processes of recruitment and induction are linked together into a coherent whole. The toolkit is designed to leave nothing to chance. It provides a distinct process to follow with the support of a designated LA Adviser and where appropriate, Diocesan Adviser.
Secondly, governors can use the toolkit on an annual basis to help review their own effectiveness in preparation for statutory inspection, including how well they:
(Excerpt from Ofsted's 'School inspection handbook' for September 2012)
The annual self-review can be carried out independently by the Chair of Governors and Headteacher with the support of others in school with significant leadership responsibility.
The toolkit has a single 'checklist of information' that is designed to record the outcomes of both the handing over headship and annual review processes. It is helpfully organised into the four key judgements made by inspectors.
Click here to read the 'Handing over Headship' toolkit in full.
For further information please contact:
Simon Morley on 01603 307788.
The 'Handing over Headship' toolkit is offered to school governors as an example of best practice and draws upon research undertaken in Hertfordshire and Norfolk Local Authorities.
The toolkit has been designed to help governors in two ways:
Firstly, to support and strengthen school leadership when handing over headship by:
| Facilitating a seamless transition | |
| Evaluating how efficiently and effectively the school has been led and managed by the outgoing head | |
| Identifying with the new Headteacher what improvements may be needed and how they might be achieved | |
| Negating the possibility of unexpected and unforeseen barriers following transition | |
| Ensuring that the new incumbent is well placed to maintain the pace of school improvement | |
| Cementing a positive working relationship between the governors and new Headteacher |
The way in which governors manage the transition from one leader to another will determine how securely the processes of recruitment and induction are linked together into a coherent whole. The toolkit is designed to leave nothing to chance. It provides a distinct process to follow with the support of a designated LA Adviser and where appropriate, Diocesan Adviser.
Secondly, governors can use the toolkit on an annual basis to help review their own effectiveness in preparation for statutory inspection, including how well they:
| ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction | |
| contribute to the school's self-evaluation and understand its strengths and weaknesses | |
| provide challenge and hold the headteacher and other senior leaders to account for improving the quality of teaching, pupils' achievement and pupils' behaviour and safety | |
| use performance management systems, including the performance management of the headteacher, to improve teaching, leadership and management | |
| ensure solvency and probity and that the financial resources made available to the school are managed effectively | |
| operate in such a way that statutory duties are met and priorities are approved | |
| engage with key stakeholders | |
| use the pupil premium and other resources to overcome barriers to learning, including reading, writing and mathematics. |
(Excerpt from Ofsted's 'School inspection handbook' for September 2012)
The annual self-review can be carried out independently by the Chair of Governors and Headteacher with the support of others in school with significant leadership responsibility.
The toolkit has a single 'checklist of information' that is designed to record the outcomes of both the handing over headship and annual review processes. It is helpfully organised into the four key judgements made by inspectors.
Click here to read the 'Handing over Headship' toolkit in full.
For further information please contact:
Simon Morley on 01603 307788.