What we offer

The type of support we can provide

Tailored Project Offer

Are there particular projects that, for whatever reason, your setting does not have the capacity to achieve? Is there a problem which needs resolving? Or a project that will take your setting to the next level? If so, Solv-Ed can provide that support for you. Types of projects include:

Our 'on the ground' offer for education settings

Sometimes, you just need some leadership support 'on the ground' in your setting. Do you need an experienced leader to help you implement something new? Or help with the roll out of a new policy? Do you have a complex investigation to conduct and need an impartial, trustworthy leader with experience to resolve this for you? If so, Solv-Ed can provide that support for you. Types of support include:

Our desktop offer to support settings 'behind the scenes'

Sometimes a setting needs some help 'behind the scenes'. Do you need to set up or review your implemented curriculum financial plan? Do you need a to review your management information system or is there a school policy that you need to review and revise? If so, Solv-Ed can provide that support for you. Types of work includes:

Creating an English curriculum, across phases, for a growing Multi-Academy Trust

Providing a specialist, bespoke coaching and mentoring programme for new headteachers and senior leaders for a local authority

Developing a school improvement framework for a charity or alternative provision to raise education standards and expectations

Providing weekly, effective 'presence' for a school, experiencing challenges and helping to implement new systems

Investigating a complex complaint or disciplinary investigation and presenting the case to a panel

Undertaking quality assurances processes, working with curriculum or pastoral leaders in a setting, to meet their strategic priorities

Writing a headteacher's or school leader's report for their governing body to summarise key achievements and next steps

Creating an implemented curriculum financial plan for a setting to ensure their curriculum model is efficient

Providing quick and effective communication support for education leaders during critical incidents

A "Ready to Go" Project

New to Headship - Progress; Solve; Flourish

Headship remains one of the most challenging roles in the public sector. According to analysis undertaken by the National Association of Headteachers in 2022, 25% of primary teachers left their post within five years and 64% of these left state-funded schools completely. At secondary level, 37% left their post within five years and 67% of these left the state sector. The average life span of a secondary headteacher in post is now just 4 years. This programme will provide new headteachers with ‘on the ground’ support on a regular basis throughout their first year to help them progress with their priorities, solve ‘knotty’ problems that are preventing them from feeling like they are achieving success and flourish in a role that is ultimately one of the most rewarding career paths you can choose.

Why is a new headship programme needed?

How will we know it will be successful?

By the end of this programme, newly appointed headteachers will feel stronger and more confident to deliver the change that is required through monthly activities which range from a mix of focused workshops, one-to-one clinics and confidential, impartial problem-solving discussions when a headteacher needs it. Fundamentally, the aim of this proposal is to ensure that headteachers remain in post for longer than 3-4 years within the local authority, teaching hub region or multi-academy trust that the programme is commissioned by. No headteacher will resign within the first 12 months of being in post as a result of this programme.

What will the programme cover, broadly?

Solv-Ed will provide a 12-month programme for new headteachers that will provide bespoke support, personalised advice and forward-thinking professional learning which is tailored and realistic to their needs. The course outline below provides a general summary of activities, however, this can be flexible and be moulded to suit the needs of the commissioning organisation and/or the headteachers themselves. This programme is not meant to be a course. It is not intended to replace or even compliment an NPQH, for example. It has been set up with the sole purpose of ensuring headteachers remain in their roles over a sustained period of time.

An example of the first term's work:

In the first term, new headteachers will have a mix of persoanlised coaching sessions and workshops which will include key topics such as:

• Setting the tone in your first few weeks

• Putting together a 100-day plan

• Resolving complaints in an effective and timely manner

• Responding to complex HR matters

• Reflecting on the progress of the first term