The Norfolk Locum Register

Locum Headteachers

This arrangement has run successfully for over ten years and offers opportunities for professional development, whilst also being of immense help to schools in difficult situations.

There are occasions when schools suddenly need support because of unforeseen circumstances, such as the illness of the Headteacher. In some cases an existing member of staff is able to undertake the Head’s duties until the situation is resolved. In others, where this is not possible, we are often asked by governors to help find a suitable acting headteacher, sometimes at very short notice. The members of the County Headteacher Service are the first recourse when this happens, but they are a small group and are usually already fully committed to a school. So, since 1993, we have kept a register of experienced and successful Headteachers and Deputy Heads who are willing to be acting headteacher in these circumstances.

This is an invitation to indicate your willingness to support another school in this way or, if you are already on the register, to reaffirm your availability for 2007.

Locum Teacher and Locum Deputy Headteacher

In some cases, it is not the support of a headteacher that is required so, in 1996, we also started a register of teachers willing to use their experience and skills, usually in a senior role, to support another school through a period of difficulty. This role is often undertaken by the County School Improvement Teachers but, like the County Heads, they are a small group and demand can easily outstrip supply. I would, therefore, be interested to know of those who would like to be considered for inclusion on this register.

How the register works

If you are interested in doing this work, you should get the consent of your headteacher and Governors before responding, as we need to know that those on the register would actually be available should the need arise and, possibly, at quite short notice.

Before any placement is agreed, there is a discussion about the needs of both schools and about the financial arrangements in both schools for supporting the placement. The formal agreement from the governors of both schools is also sought. Placements are usually negotiated for one term at a time, and can last for anything from a few weeks to two or three terms depending on the situation.

Inclusion on the Locum Register does not, of course, mean that you will be called upon. We have to consider a range of factors, such as travel distance, size and type of school, the specific requirements of the receiving school and circumstances in your school at the time, before approaching someone on the register.

The Benefits

Supporting another school in this way gives successful headteachers, deputy headteacher and teachers the opportunity to broaden their experience and demonstrate their capacity to respond to the challenges of a new and unfamiliar situation. This is a very valuable form of professional development that adds value to their work in their own school when they return. Many governing bodies recognise the benefit of this for the staff involved, and also for the staff who will have the opportunity of ‘acting-up’, and thus gaining experience and assuming extra responsibility in the absence of the Head, Deputy or other staff member.

Making an Application

If you are interested in either of the above opportunities, I should be grateful if you would complete the attached proforma and return it to Diana Duhig at the Professional Development Centre. Alternatively, you can apply online.

Application for Inclusion on the Locum Register