Each of our programmes combines comprehensive support with expert training that addresses the specific issues experienced in your school.

They include one-to-one guidance alongside collaborative working and network building, and can be completed online when and where it suits you.

National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)

Find out more

Our NPQs support teachers who want to take the next step on their leadership journey and are motivated to make a difference in their school. Each programme is tailored to your school’s individual needs and designed to address your daily challenges. This will not only unlock your potential as a leader, but will unlock your pupils’ potential too.

Careers Leader Programme

Find out more

For middle and senior leaders, this programme will help them develop a strategy to provide life-changing careers guidance and opportunities to pupils. Not only will career learning be built into all aspects of the curriculum, leaders will be equipped to train colleagues on how to deliver it. So the benefits extend throughout your school for years to come.

Leading Together Programme

Find out more

Collectively grow your school’s ability to meet the challenges it faces and address any leadership gaps. A dedicated Teach First expert will work with your entire senior team to instil a culture that encourages and supports everyone into leadership.

Interested in our programmes?

Get in touch

We started our mission to end educational inequality in 2003. Since then it’s become increasingly clear just how important leadership is when it comes to setting every pupil up for success.

That’s why we want to support and develop leaders at all levels and in every area of your school.

Many leaders are better than one

Nobody can effectively drive change in a school alone. The to-do list would be overwhelming. It has to be a team effort, which is why leadership is at the heart of what we do across all our programmes.

We want to create a real depth of leadership talent in your school. That means you’ll have leadership talent at every level, from the classroom right up to the headteacher. Your team will be given the training, time and resources to reflect clearly on how they can positively impact the whole school, as individuals and as part of wider leadership teams.

They’ll also be getting the career progression they desperately want, firing them up to play their part in tackling the challenges underprivileged pupils face.

Overcoming barriers to success

We’ve found there are four key leadership improvements that will positively impact any school:

1. Remove barriers to teachers progressing into and staying in leadership positions in schools in disadvantaged areas.
2. Help leaders work effectively with their teams to diagnose, design, implement, evaluate and sustain school improvements.
3. Combat isolation. Support leaders to build networks and collaborate inside and outside the school.
4. Create great learning and working environments by encouraging professional development, career opportunities and manageable workloads.

All our Leadership Programmes are designed, and regularly reviewed and tweaked, to address these points while also focussing on your school’s specific challenges.

What does good leadership look like?

We think there are several ways good leadership can help you make the improvements noted above and, ultimately, enable pupils in low income areas succeed. We’ll build these together if you partner with us.

They include:

• The ability to see an improvement plan through from design to implementation and sustain it.
• Establishing a strong culture of communication, expected behaviours and professional development.
• Consistency in policy and how it is applied.
• Opportunities for leaders to develop in their area of expertise and beyond.
• A passion to develop the careers of others in the team.
• A razor-sharp focus on the school and its pupils but also an ability to build partnerships with outside organisations.
• High priority given to the wellbeing of leaders and their teams.

Read our blog on leadership

As we’ve mentioned, this is a big job. That’s why creating a pool of leadership talent in your school, who can all contribute, is key to success.

According to Ofsted 850,000 young people in the UK go to schools which do not have good leadership.

This unfairly impacts their life chances and it’s a situation we need to change.

Underprivileged pupils suffer the most

Young people in low income areas are less than half as likely to go to an Ofsted outstanding school than pupils from wealthier backgrounds. This makes the attainment gap incredibly hard to bridge. The COVID-19 lockdown has only made matters worse.

Teachers and leaders in underprivileged areas are doing a brilliant job in difficult circumstances. They simply do not have the time, resources or access to external expertise to develop their leadership talent. But it’s outstanding leaders that make outstanding schools.

That’s why we’re so eager to give them that support. Ofsted data shows schools with strong leadership are up to ten times more likely to improve at their next inspection. That will show in the improved grades and prospects of pupils from the poorest backgrounds.

Make the most of your school’s talent

Your teachers want to become better leaders and 91% say the quality of leadership is very important to their school’s success. They’re eager to drive that success and have the skills to do it.

• 49% of classroom teachers are interested in leadership positions.
• 64% of middle leaders want to step up further.
• 88% say leadership opportunities would make them more likely to remain.

So the enthusiasm to grow is there, but 40% of teachers say they spend no time on developing their leadership skills. That’s a problem, but also an opportunity we can help your school grasp.

A team effort

We don’t create individual super heads, we build effective teams that generate long-term success. In fact 85% of teachers and leaders agree that leadership training should involve the whole team.

Research shows improving the whole leadership team has between three to four times the impact of focusing on one person alone. We’ve also found 93% of teachers think training should be tailored to the needs of a school.

That’s why our Leadership Programmes are so comprehensive, offering every member of your team an opportunity to progress, and designed to generate practical solutions to your school’s challenges.