Award-winning heads in NCSL book
What makes an outstanding headteacher? Energy, determination and an open mind are among many characteristics identified in a new book from the National College for School Leadership .
Turning Heads - Reflections on School Leadership’ is a revealing collection of interviews with ten top heads who are all winners of Teaching Awards. Seven more award-winning heads offer pearls of wisdom in a final chapter, reflecting on the lessons they have learned from years of experience.
Each has a unique story to tell from a wide range of schools – from the head of a once-struggling primary to the leader of one of the UK’s most popular comprehensives in a leafy northern suburb.
But they have much in common, not least the satisfaction of influencing thousands of young lives. And there is much to celebrate in terms of positive results and good relationships between staff and pupils. ‘My job is the best job in the world, I love it,’ says one.
Reflecting a growing phenomenon, four heads are running more than one school, using expertise demonstrated in one to turn around another. One of them, Tarun Kapur CBE (pictured here), leads three schools in the north west and is a National Leader in Education.
These award-winning heads have very different characters but what I recognise in all of them is the stamina and humanity needed to be an outstanding school leader.
They are all driven by a moral purpose to make a difference and each has demonstrated the practical skills and knowledge needed to lift a struggling school and make a good school great.
I’m delighted that through Turning Heads we have brought these ten headteachers together to share their passion and experience.’
Five of the interviews are conducted by winners of the Award for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year, fulfilling NCSL’s aim to spread good practice and encourage potential new leaders. The other five are by education commentators and journalists.
Turning Heads: Reflections on Leadership is funded by NCSL and published by the Teaching Awards. It is available to download free from March 4 from: http://www.teachingawards.com/attachments/NCSLTurningHeads.pdf
The ten heads who are profiled are:
Ann Dwulit, St Luke’s CE primary school, Islington, London
David Kirk, Ash Green primary school, Halifax, West Yorkshire
Dennis Richards OBE, St Aidan's CE high School, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Geraint Rees,Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg, Plasmawr, Cardiff, Wales
Kevin Harcombe, Redlands primary school, Fareham, Hampshire
Jasminder Grewall OBE, North primary school, Southall, Ealing, London
Jo Shuter (pictured on the homepage), Quintin Kynaston School and technology college, Westminster, London;
Sarah Dignasse, Plume school, Maldon, Essex
Sue Morrison, John Fielding special school, Boston, Lincolnshire
Tarun Kapur CBE, Ashton on Mersey school, Sale, Cheshire
The seven heads who give their ‘reflections’ are:
Anne McLanachan (retired), Longniddry primary school, East Lothian, Scotland
Dorothy Gregory (retired), Walkergate Early Years Centre, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
Heather Rockhold, Lauriston primary school, Islington, London
Paul Mulot (retired), William Ransom primary school, Hertfordshire
Peter Wright (retired), Hazel Oak special school, Solihull
Roger Skilton, Llangatwg Community school, West Glamorgan, Wales
Tom McCully (retired), Belmont House school, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
