Leadership Partner Schools are at the forefront of current
developments to deliver a world class workforce of leaders within
schools networks.
The newly created partnerships between Leadership Partner Schools,
specialist schools and primary networks will focus on raising pupil
achievement through effective leadership development and succession
planning strategies. The programme also provides schools with the
opportunity to develop leadership capabilities and competences with
pupils.
In order to support schools in this more strategic and wide ranging
role, Leadership Partner Schools will be expected to use 50% of their
High Performing Specialist School (HPSS) funding (minimum £60k per year
and maximum £90k per year) to work with partners, including the local
authority to disseminate and develop effective leadership practice. In
addition, all Leadership Partner Schools are required to produce a
clear succession planning strategy and is one of the core expectations
of the programme.
As well as significant leadership development work already taking
place, many of the existing Leadership Partner Schools are already
formally part of the local succession planning strategy programme, as
agreed by their local authority. The programme is managed by the Youth
Sport Trust in partnership with the National College and is available
to all schools that have met the HPSS criteria. It is now the most
popular HPSS option for schools choosing a second specialism with a
strong representation of Leadership Partner Schools in every Government
Office region, and is positioned alongside other related initiatives
including National Leaders of Education, Executive Headship,
Federations and Accredited Schools.
The national perspective
National College for Leadership of Schools and Children’s Services
“The National College’s core purpose is to improve the lives and life
chances of all children and young people throughout the country by
developing world-class school leaders, system leaders and future
leaders. At the National College we believe that effective
collaboration between schools is an essential part of the landscape
that both helps existing leaders and supports the development of future
leaders.”
Toby Salt, Deputy Chief Executive, National College
Department for Children, Schools and Families
“It is only the workforce who can deliver our ambition of improved
outcomes, with children and young people fully engaged with their
education and supported to progress through it. This workforce will
need to be well-led, highly-skilled, motivated and effectively-deployed.
Your child, your schools, our future: building a 21st century schools system. DCSF.
Building on the successes of the specialist schools system, the Department continues to campaign for all children and young people to have access to the best subject teaching and centres of excellence in specialist schools across the country - achieved through partnership working and the specialist schools networks.
The Specialist School Programme is an important vehicle for delivering Government policies, which are designed to raise standards and improve the quality of education and well-being for all children and young people. Central to the HPSS concept is the notion that schools which have the capacity to lead others should form collaborative networks to
share, develop and disseminate good practice.
In line with the Children’s Plan and the White Paper - Your child, your schools, our future, HPSS, through their additional role, will be in a position to make a significant and positive impact in the community and in partner school settings to enable children to reach their full potential to succeed and go as far as their talents can take them.
More details about high quality succession planning can be found on the National College website.