Preparing and Applying for Independent School Headship
Single license: £99
This course has been devised for all those looking at applying for Headship. Mike Abraham, a highly regarded recruiter in the sector, will set the scene in terms of what you personally need to do to prepare your application and find the right school for you. We will then go on to look at key topics that Heads need to know about; leadership, marketing, finance and HR. The final session will bring a panel of current Heads together for you.
In addition to the live online sessions there is over 7 hours of pre-recorded CPD on a range of topics and there is also a live, termly online clinic with the recruitment team at RSAcademics. If you are looking at applying for Headship this is the course for you to equip you with the skills required to help you secure your role and thrive in it.
In addition to the live online sessions there is over 7 hours of pre-recorded CPD on a range of topics and there is also a live, termly online clinic with the recruitment team at RSAcademics. If you are looking at applying for Headship this is the course for you to equip you with the skills required to help you secure your role and thrive in it.
Content Overview
Session One
Introduction: Applying for Headship: Finding the right fit with Mike Abraham.
Former Headmaster and Director of Heads4Heads, Mike Abraham, will look at how to tackle the all important application process. His expert guidance will take you through pre-application to writing an outstanding application to ensuring that you shine in the recruitment process. Mike is the former Head of Yarm Prep School and has worked with independent schools across the country for over 10 years, helping them make Senior Appointments (including as a TES Director and with Russell Spiers). Despite many attempts to retire, Mike's skills and services means he is in as much demand as ever! Learn from Mike's expertise as to what schools are looking for and how to handle the process to show yourself at your best.
Additional material to complement this session: 'Applying for Headship - Getting the Gig', 'Lessons on leadership from a Head' and 'What to expect in the first 100 days of Headship'.
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Session Two
Enhancing your leadership style with Thomas Packer
Being a good Head means being a good leader. School leadership consultant, Tom Packer, will help you to explore and understand your own personal leadership style and how you can adapt it to get the most from your colleagues in any situation. This session is invaluable for your first Headship role - and will also be of real benefit to you in your current position.
Additional material to complement this session: 'Grow your own culture', 'motivational leadership' and 'leadership lessons from elite sport.'
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Session Three
Understanding School Finances
This session will take you through the financial position of a school. It will take you, step-by-step, through school accounts so that you can talk knowledgeably at your interview about them. It will also teach you how to read them properly so you have a good insight into the financial health of the school prior to application so that you can ask all the right questions so you join a school that is not only right for you - but also so that you don't get any unexpected surprises once you have joined. This session is delivered by Dr. Dean White, Bursar at Rugby School.
Additional material to complement the session: 'Strategic Planning', a pre-recorded video by Russell Spiers
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Session Four
The significance of marketing
This session will look at what a marketing strategy should look like for a school and what you, as Head, should be asking of your team. Pupil numbers are a critical factor to the success of the school and as a Head it is important that you have an understanding of the role marketing plays. Depending on your context, you'll either want to grow your pupil roll quickly or ensure that numbers remain high! Led by school marketing expert and former AMCIS board member, Alicia Coad.
Additional material to complement the session: 'Parental engagement', 'Social Media for Schools' and 'Stakeholder research.'
____
Session Five
Employment law in practice.
Dealing with staff issues is a key part of Headship. This session will provide an overview of the current employment legislation and how it impacts on your school and the decisions you make. Having this understanding and overview will give you the confidence when dealing with difficult decision making, will help you to avoid common pitfalls, and can often be useful when completing Headship interview tasks. Delivered by Alice Reeve, Partner, VWV.
Bonus Content: 'Handling Difficult Conversations'
Introduction: Applying for Headship: Finding the right fit with Mike Abraham.
Former Headmaster and Director of Heads4Heads, Mike Abraham, will look at how to tackle the all important application process. His expert guidance will take you through pre-application to writing an outstanding application to ensuring that you shine in the recruitment process. Mike is the former Head of Yarm Prep School and has worked with independent schools across the country for over 10 years, helping them make Senior Appointments (including as a TES Director and with Russell Spiers). Despite many attempts to retire, Mike's skills and services means he is in as much demand as ever! Learn from Mike's expertise as to what schools are looking for and how to handle the process to show yourself at your best.
Additional material to complement this session: 'Applying for Headship - Getting the Gig', 'Lessons on leadership from a Head' and 'What to expect in the first 100 days of Headship'.
____
Session Two
Enhancing your leadership style with Thomas Packer
Being a good Head means being a good leader. School leadership consultant, Tom Packer, will help you to explore and understand your own personal leadership style and how you can adapt it to get the most from your colleagues in any situation. This session is invaluable for your first Headship role - and will also be of real benefit to you in your current position.
Additional material to complement this session: 'Grow your own culture', 'motivational leadership' and 'leadership lessons from elite sport.'
----
Session Three
Understanding School Finances
This session will take you through the financial position of a school. It will take you, step-by-step, through school accounts so that you can talk knowledgeably at your interview about them. It will also teach you how to read them properly so you have a good insight into the financial health of the school prior to application so that you can ask all the right questions so you join a school that is not only right for you - but also so that you don't get any unexpected surprises once you have joined. This session is delivered by Dr. Dean White, Bursar at Rugby School.
Additional material to complement the session: 'Strategic Planning', a pre-recorded video by Russell Spiers
____
Session Four
The significance of marketing
This session will look at what a marketing strategy should look like for a school and what you, as Head, should be asking of your team. Pupil numbers are a critical factor to the success of the school and as a Head it is important that you have an understanding of the role marketing plays. Depending on your context, you'll either want to grow your pupil roll quickly or ensure that numbers remain high! Led by school marketing expert and former AMCIS board member, Alicia Coad.
Additional material to complement the session: 'Parental engagement', 'Social Media for Schools' and 'Stakeholder research.'
____
Session Five
Employment law in practice.
Dealing with staff issues is a key part of Headship. This session will provide an overview of the current employment legislation and how it impacts on your school and the decisions you make. Having this understanding and overview will give you the confidence when dealing with difficult decision making, will help you to avoid common pitfalls, and can often be useful when completing Headship interview tasks. Delivered by Alice Reeve, Partner, VWV.
Bonus Content: 'Handling Difficult Conversations'
