H - Headship - keeping your head above the water (A to Z Tips)

Rudyard Kipling, one of our best-known of the late Victorian poets and storytellers, awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1907, wrote the poem ‘If’, a perfect summarisation for the key requirements for Headship.

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too…

The role of Head, whilst enormously rewarding, can be a lonely one. The position, were it in almost any other business sector, would be supported by numerous departments, a sizable HR department and a legal support team, to name but two.

The role of Governors, as critical friends, is vital to running a successful Headship, but every now and then we all need a sounding board. It is likely that life will become increasingly pressurised and Heads will have many more difficulties and hurdles to clear before the role returns to anything close to normal.

Superhero or super villain?

At Headspace Academics, we understand the pressures. Our experienced consultants are, in the main, ex Heads themselves so know better than anyone the constant pressure to perform and some of the very difficult tasks you will be undertaking, both now and in the months ahead.

They are available as a free confidential, impartial, friendly ear, should you wish to simply sound off, test the water, in the role of confidant before delivering any of those tough messages to your team. Or, simply, to chat through any of the pressures you are currently facing and gain a little of the headspace you need to see you through.

To book your ideal time to talk, email us at support@headspacecamademics.com with your contact number and the name of the consultant you would like to speak to and we’ll arrange a call.

RICHARD STEVENSON

Founder of Headspace Academics. Richard has 15 years of headship experience and has worked in a variety of schools, including day and boarding, single sex and co-educational, prep and senior school, tied prep and stand-alone. He is a people person; his ability lies in strategic thinking, the building of teams, growing a business and appointing outstanding people. His expertise lies in business growth, school turn arounds, executive recruitment and school mergers.

TIFFANY FLEMING

A director of Headspace Academics, Tiffany’s background is sales and marketing, and brings an important commercial perspective to the business supporting school leaders and governors to realise the very best for their schools. Tiffany’s expertise lies in marketing and the customer journey.

ALASTAIR RAMSAY - consultant

Alastair, an IAPS Head for 19 years, and an active ISI inspector since 2004, ran a successful boarding house before becoming a Headmaster in 2001.

He has guided his schools through seven outstanding/excellent inspection reports, one through a successful merger and led both schools out of perilous financial positions. As a Governor at one of the country’s leading FE colleges, he has extensive and varied boardroom and committee experience. Alastair’s expertise lies in boarding, inspection, school turn around, policy forming and strategic development.

CATH BUFTON-GREEN - consultant

Cath, a proficient and successful school leader with over twenty years of experience in state, independent, single sex and co-educational schools, is a strategic thinker with an eye for detail and high standards. Passionate about staff development, Cath enjoys coaching and shaping teachers, and leaders, to be their very best. She aims to inspire, challenge and empower those that she works with, to make a positive difference for themselves, their schools and their pupils.

Cath is a people person; she is approachable and empathetic and believes in a collaborative and authentic style of leadership and school development. Cath’s expertise lies in leadership and governor training and strategic development.

MICHAEL ABRAHAM - consultant

Mike has worked in independent education for much of his career; he has extensive experience of boarding schools and school leadership as a Founding Headmaster and Head to three further Prep Schools, former ISI Inspector, now a Governor at four schools and is the longest serving member on the steering committee of the cross association, national independent junior school conference. Mike’s expertise lies in executive recruitment, governor training, school turn around and appraisal.

PHIL GARNER - consultant

Phil has worked in both state and independent schools in the UK and in the USA, as a Founding Head and Headteacher for 15 years and an Ofsted and ISI inspector. More recently, he has undertaken a number of interim positions, assisting schools in navigating complex challenges. He has experience in the transformation from single sex to full co-education, mergers, and is now a director of the Queen's Hall Arts Centre in Hexham and Chief Executive of the Independent Schools Portal. Phil’s expertise is in school development, executive recruitment and leadership coaching.

You can meet the full Headspace Academics team on our About Us page –

https://headspaceacademics.com/who-we-are