Well this is thoroughly depressing. If only 1 in 4 AHTs/DHTs at best may even consider becoming a Head where are our next generation of Headteachera coming from?! 😳 #rEDBrum - ThreadSky

mrsspalding.bsky.social • 4 days ago

Well this is thoroughly depressing.

If only 1 in 4 AHTs/DHTs at best may even consider becoming a Head where are our next generation of Headteachera coming from?! 😳

#rEDBrum

Comments

hugheshaili.bsky.social•3 days ago

This is why I started my podcast. We're sleepwalking into a crisis

samcrome.bsky.social•4 days ago

Sadly this has been me for a long time, BUT my mind is starting to change..

mrsspalding.bsky.social•4 days ago

I can’t wait to be a Head BUT I want to be damn sure I’m going to be a good one when I take on the mantle. Not there yet.

samcrome.bsky.social•4 days ago

Yeah I’m more in this camp now, having graduated from ‘not a chance in hell’ 😂

You’ll be brilliant!

mrmountstevens.bsky.social•4 days ago

I don't find it surprising. I've yet to convince myself that I want to be a head after being a DHT for nearly 8 years and a senior leader since 2008.

wildthinker.bsky.social•3 days ago

Yes, it's a concern because it encourages Peter's Principle and that never ends well gor anyone.

theniceman.bsky.social•4 days ago

Most schools have at least 4 of D or A HTs. So that's about right?

sparkes66.bsky.social•4 days ago

Would be interested to see a split by phase. I foresee a real issue at Primary. Headship no longer a destination role - just so much of it - and in a small primary it’s often one person picking most of it up. I’m seeing people increasingly choosing to move into trust wide focused roles instead.

mrsspalding.bsky.social•4 days ago

This is aspires to be, not is suitable or ready. We’re not exactly getting a field for each post 😅

richardwh84.bsky.social•3 days ago

When I was younger I wanted to be a head. When I got into senior leadership and saw the role up close, it started to lose appeal. I started my NPQH this year with the hope it would give me insight beyond what I can see. Safe to say I'm still on the fence.

bethgg.bsky.social•3 days ago

We were having conversations yesterday about the suitability of the NPQH as preparation for headship. Our trust is developing a Growing Leaders programme to try and bridge some of the gap (but for more than just aspiring heads) and @kevbartle.bsky.social has some good thoughts/plans.

richardwh84.bsky.social•3 days ago

I am enjoying it, But the less glamorous and most challenging things haven't been covered yet and don't know if they will. Dealing with uncooperative parents, having to make budget cuts, trying to meet external pressure, (ofsted, goveners, parents, SIPs)

bethgg.bsky.social•3 days ago

That's partly what we were talking about not being included - the practical stuff (and what our GL is touching on). My colleague who's doing it at the moment was also reflecting that he's often in breakout rooms with other 'novices' and would value more experience in those discussions.

mrshepstone.bsky.social•3 days ago

Depressing but not surprising. There’s very little of the HT role I look at and think ‘yes please!’

meredithfox22.bsky.social•4 days ago

I have never really considered HT (been DHT for 8 years) and will likely see out my career at this level. So much of HT seems to have very little to do with children/young people. That's why it's never appealed.

rsjhill.bsky.social•3 days ago

I agree but I see it as leading through others. Being a Head gives you a wider sphere of influence in terms of impact on the school community.

mrsspalding.bsky.social•4 days ago

I lead staffing as DHT and can see my work with budget, absence management, wellbeing and recruitment directly impact on students. I’d like to think I could continue to connect the dots to children at HT.

eyesshutteacher.bsky.social•4 days ago

Honestly I’ve been teaching 16 years and never been interested in being in charge. The workload is insane and the abuse and pressure from all stakeholders unbearable. It’s an impossible job to do with any life work balance. I will always have my SLT’s back but I never want to join their ranks.

busybusinesshod.bsky.social•4 days ago

I think that sounds about right, personally I can’t think of anything worse than being a HT - with that huge workload and the politics involved. I can’t think of a single teacher (at any level) I know who fancies it…

rsjhill.bsky.social•3 days ago

My old headteacher used to say that there was a "moral imperative" on DHTs who were decent human beings to become heads. Six months in there have been days when that hasn't felt like enough! But overall I'm loving it.

andrewreckons.bsky.social•4 days ago

MBA courses

mrsspalding.bsky.social•4 days ago

😬😬😬

teachpaperless.bsky.social•3 days ago

It's such a hard, complex and often unrewarding position. No surprise most steer well away from it, sadly.

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