Steve started, by asking the audience if they could remember how teachers and head teachers made you feel as a child, how even then you could see that they influenced the ethos of the school. How you can look back now, knowing that they impacted on all the children - a whole generation . He told us that it is 'your turn now to set the tone for the future, in some cases into the 22nd Century.' He continued, saying that new heads had chosen to take on the mantle of leadership.He said, 'you are ultimately accountable but lead with grace and humility.'
The college was created to serve leaders 10 years ago next year. Leaders cannot act alone but must work with other leaders who must also be the best. Leadership is not about solving all of the problems but about alliances. He wanted to speak 'In praise of imperfect leadership', to know the strengths and the weakenesses of your team and to make it a complete and perfect team.
Toby began by asking if people could remember what they were doing ten years ago, that NQTs today were possibly listening to the Spice Girls or Back Street Boys back then.
He talked about how headteachers today will have to prepare a generation for a very different world, one where we face stark challenges, with an ageing workforce, a world in economic and environmental flux and most definitely with much smaller budgets.
Great leaders need great teams, the best people for the job. That means people who will regularly challenge you. Make the best use of other's skills. Consider the impact a school business manager can make. As heads are moving to retirement we cannot afford to have a poor supply of good experienced leaders. You must develop and nurture others to move up as soon as you can, do not lead alone!
Collaboration works,look beyond the boundaries of your own organisation, but always with clarity, consistancy, communication, as John Dunford says,'Good leadership is 10% action 90 % communication'. You are becoming heads at a pivotal time where there are great challenges and great opportunities and I believe that together we can make a difference.
The college was created to serve leaders 10 years ago next year. Leaders cannot act alone but must work with other leaders who must also be the best. Leadership is not about solving all of the problems but about alliances. He wanted to speak 'In praise of imperfect leadership', to know the strengths and the weakenesses of your team and to make it a complete and perfect team.
Toby began by asking if people could remember what they were doing ten years ago, that NQTs today were possibly listening to the Spice Girls or Back Street Boys back then.
He talked about how headteachers today will have to prepare a generation for a very different world, one where we face stark challenges, with an ageing workforce, a world in economic and environmental flux and most definitely with much smaller budgets.
Great leaders need great teams, the best people for the job. That means people who will regularly challenge you. Make the best use of other's skills. Consider the impact a school business manager can make. As heads are moving to retirement we cannot afford to have a poor supply of good experienced leaders. You must develop and nurture others to move up as soon as you can, do not lead alone!
Collaboration works,look beyond the boundaries of your own organisation, but always with clarity, consistancy, communication, as John Dunford says,'Good leadership is 10% action 90 % communication'. You are becoming heads at a pivotal time where there are great challenges and great opportunities and I believe that together we can make a difference.
