Headship is a varied and difficult job and the training and preparation for it can be equally varied. NLEs (National Leaders of Education) are available to provide additional support and capacity to those heads that find themselves in challenging circumstances at particular points in their career. They work directly with heads in a mentoring role, but also provide additional practical help and support at an exact moment in time.
NLEs are a group of accredited serving head teachers recognised as strong school leaders and have experience of effectively supporting and improving schools and heads that are deemed to be facing challenging scenarios at any given time. The idea is that the NLE works alongside teaching schools and other system leaders to provide the highest quality support to those who need it the most.
Working through challenge
It’s no secret that many schools and headteachers across the country are in need of greater, more fine-tuned support, but, in reality, how does an NLE drive successful outcomes amidst consistently challenging and sometimes difficult situations?
If we look first at what is needed to become an NLE, you start to understand the level of work involved. Heads who meet the eligibility criteria are free to apply; this includes having a strong track record of headship (supported by an Ofsted judgement) and a strong record of school to school improvement work which has led to improved outcomes for pupils. The application to become an NLE is dove-tailed with that of the headteacher’s school to become a National Support School (NSS). Again, this must meet the criteria of being a good school with high levels of attainment and progress and with a senior and middle leader team with capacity to support another school, which must be supported by the most recent Ofsted judgement.
NLEs are defined as being outstanding headteachers who, together with the staff in their national support school (NSS), use their skills to increase the leadership capacity of other schools to help raise standards.
Whilst NLEs are not paid directly for their work, they can apply for a £6000 bursary for their school to cover costs, such as travel or supply cover for meetings and training events and the cost of recruiting additional staff to increase capacity in the school. Beyond that, the NLE must negotiate the cost of delivering the school improvement work with the school directly or apply for additional grants on the school’s behalf.