Award winner chosen for support role
Fiona Allen with children from Corsham primary school
Fiona Allen, national winner of the NCSL Award for Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School in 2003, is one a growing number of heads whose careers are developing as executive heads, with responsibility for more than one school.
Fiona, who has been a head for 20 years, is now executive head of Corsham primary school in Wiltshire. Her school expanded last year to include a neighbouring primary which faced closure after going into special measures. Both sites now have associate heads under Fiona’s leadership with a shared governing body, a single budget and identical policies.
'It has been a huge challenge but the opportunies for staff, children and both communities have been tremendous,' says Fiona. In less than a year the second site has been totally refurbished and is identical to the original school, right down to the carpets and the uniform children wear.
'I'm delighted to say that the children are thriving. They have terrific teachers and all the benefits of working together as one school. The rewards for me, towards the end of my career, are also to watch new leaders emerging. They are the heads of the future.'
Changes began for Fiona in 2006 when she was among the first cohort of 65 heads to be appointed National Leaders of Education (NLE) by the National College for School Leadership. At the same time Corsham primary was designated a National Support School (NSS).
NLEs use their success and professionalism as school leaders, along with the staff in their schools, to provide additional leadership capacity in struggling schools. They also have access to Government ministers to advise on education policy, and have responsibility for helping to develop the next generation of leaders.
