Headteacher Recruitment and Succession Planning

Introduction

This module has been designed to help you to understand why headteacher reruitment and succession planning are key and integral elements of school governance.

It is part of every governing body's statutory repsonsibility to ensure that their school is well-led. Nationally, schools are facing significant challenges in recruting and retaining good headteachers. Whilst conditions may vary locally it is generaly recognised that all governing bodies must be well prepared to meet the challenges of replacing essential members of staff.

As your governing body must act as a corporate body, we suggest you share your learning with your fellow governors so together you arrive at the best solutions. You could also contact your local authority to arrange a facilitated session on sucession planning for all the governors at your school.

This module includes material provided by the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children's Services (the National College), whose Succession Planning website contains a wide range of material to support your succession planning activities.

We suggest you allow approximately three and a half hours to work through the module and a further 15 minutes to complete the learning review. You may find it helpful to take a break after each section.

You will find it helpful to have a notebook and pen handy to jot down your thoughts as you work your way through this module.