Recruiting a headteacher is arguably one of the most important tasks a governing board will undertake. Research suggests that school leadership is second only to classroom teaching as an influence on pupil learning, and leaders improve teaching and learning indirectly and most powerfully through their influence on staff motivation, commitment and working conditions.

It is therefore essential for boards to have recruitment processes in place that will enable them to attract and recruit the right executive leader for their school. Boards need to be alert to the circumstances in which they are recruiting and ensure that they are well equipped to select an excellent candidate who will successfully convey the boards vision for the school leading to excellent outcomes for pupils.

This session will take governors through the key stages of recruiting and appointing an executive leader; from understanding the law regarding the recruitment of a headteacher, the basic principles of successful recruitment and the role of the Local Authority, through to the specifics of planning and preparation, appointment timelines, advertising and promotion and finally to the selection process and post-recruitment actions.

This course will provide a valuable guide for any governing boards who will be recruiting a new executive leader in the short to medium term.

Outcome:

• Understand how to implement a recruitment and selection process that will enable your school to attract and recruit the right executive leader for your school
• Understand the law regarding the recruitment of a headteacher
• Signposting to useful tools and resources to support governing boards in recruiting and selecting a headteacher