Tuesday 4th December 2018
At the beginning of September 2018, Essex primary-phase schools welcomed 40 new headteachers. Some moved from other schools across the county, but the majority are new to headship, are acting heads or new to Essex. This influx, and the continuing and increasing pressures on all schools – particularly as a result of dwindling finances and the challenge of providing for children with complex special educational needs – has focused EPHA’s thoughts on how we can offer effective support to schools leaders.
In response the Essex Primary Heads’ Association is establishing a support programme for new and acting headteachers. A Colleague Supporter is a serving headteacher who understands the challenges and responsibilities that school leaders are facing, as well as enjoying the satisfaction and sense of pride that the role of headteacher brings. They will be someone that a new head can rely on and talk to in complete confidence about the early days of headship, their worries, what they need to know and what they don’t know they need to know! Just two weeks after the launch of the programme we have 25 heads who have offered to share their time and expertise with new colleagues.
Please find attached the directory of first Colleague Supporters. We are working to match them with new headteachers and have already created 6 pairs – if you want more information or would like to become involved, either as a new or acting headteacher, or an experienced Essex primary head who would be interested becoming a Colleague Supporter, please contact the EPHA Professional Officer at pam@langmead.me.uk
Pam Langmead