Resource centre

The resource materials below have been produced to support the development of school leaders. Please feel free to download by clicking on the titles below. Printed copies of most publications are also available and can be ordered by emailing ncsl@abacusuk.com. You should allow 15 days for delivery.

Retaining school leaders: A guide to keeping talented leaders engaged

This guide explores:
• how employers and governing bodies can retain their headteachers
• roles for ‘retiring’ heads that stop short of full retirement
• reasons headteachers are most likely to leave a school
• strategies to keep senior leaders engaged

Framework for Action

Framework for action describes the preparation and practical steps which will be required to produce sufficient numbers of high calibre school leaders for the future. It is a sustainable, local approach to succession planning, including area-wide resources, cross-school collaboration, cultures that value leadership, and a clear succession strategy. The planing stages outlined in the framework broadly reflect the life cycle of a leadership career. Planning in this way ensures a comprehensive and integrated approach to securing the supply of talented leaders.

Leadership succession: an overview

Contrary to the ad-hoc approach that prevailed in the past, succession planning is a systematic approach to leadership recruitment and development that is crucial to tackling the shortage of headteachers now looming. In this document, we explain in detail the key issues for leadership succession and look at ways of addressing the challenges that are now emerging.

Career moves

Are you ready for school leadership?

This guide is for people who have the passion and potential to lead schools. Whatever your current position, you should find something in this guide that will help you plan and take your next career step.

Greenhouse schools

Lessons from schools that grow their own leaders.

This report draws on the outcomes of a study investigating how school leaders actively encourage and secure future leadership capacity by identifying, nurturing and developing leadership potential in their schools. The study involved case studies carried out by a group of four NCSL research associates and the findings from a Leading Practice seminar held in London in June 2006.

Recruiting headteachers and senior leaders

Seven steps to success.

This guidance is intended to help governors and others make the best decision when seeking a new headteacher and other senior leaders for their school. It also helps governors to think about recruitment processes as part of longer-term planning to ensure that your school always has the best leadership for its long-term needs.

Turning heads

Taking a marketing approach to leadership recruitment.

This guide is designed to support collaborative approaches to school leadership succession. It is aimed primarily at people working in local authorities, dioceses, networks and other partnerships who are addressing the challenge of retaining and recruiting talented leaders to our schools.

What´s good about leading schools in challenging circumstances?

A report focusing on leaders' stories of the positive aspects of leading schools in challenging circumstances. Particular attention is given to what energises, drives and sustains leaders of such schools, whether or not they have any common or defining characteristics, and what lessons can be learned from them.

A model policy for dedicated headship time

Dedicated headship time ensures headteachers have a reasonable workload and receive support to achieve a reasonable work/life balance. This time also presents Headteachers with an opportunity to recognise their significant leadership responsibilities within their school. This guidance was commissioned by the local Workforce Agreement Monitoring Group (WAMG).