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14 June 2023

New development programme for CEOs of multi-academy trusts

The National Institute of Teaching is launching an ambitious, immersive programme to support the next generation of school trust leaders. The year-long programme, supported by funding from the Department for Education, (DfE) will equip new or aspiring trust CEOs with the skills, knowledge and behaviours to build and shape the schools of the future.

The National Institute of Teaching is launching an ambitious, immersive programme to support the next generation of school trust leaders, known as the school trust CEO programme.

The year-long programme, supported by funding from the Department for Education, (DfE) will equip new or aspiring trust CEOs with the skills, knowledge and behaviours to build and shape the schools of the future.

The programme’s underpinning content framework was developed by an Expert Advisory Group and was published by the DfE earlier this year. Its creation was prompted by the Schools White Paper ‘Opportunity for All’, which recognised that strong, capable trust leaders are critical to the success of the education sector.

Develop the next generation of courageous, pioneering leaders

Melanie Renowden, chief executive of the National Institute of Teaching, said: “The leadership of multi-academy trusts is starting to change – as high-profile, successful trust CEOs move on from their roles and as more schools join trusts, new trust leaders must step up.

“We need to develop the next generation of courageous, pioneering people who will respond to the new wave of challenges and opportunities that are coming the way of all our schools.

“Their roles will be more important than ever, supporting the education system to deal with teacher recruitment and retention, financial sustainability and closing the attainment gap.

“It’s a privilege to be leading this important work, and we will work closely with our colleagues in the sector to ensure it is a success.”

As England’s flagship body for professional development in teaching and school leadership, the NIoT is excited to be delivering this prestigious and important development programme. We’re backed by four of the country’s most notable multi-academy trusts – Harris Federation, Oasis Community Learning, Outwood Grange Academy Trust and Star Academies. Our Founding CEOs have an impressive track record of nurturing future CEOs and our network is extended further through our community of Associate Colleges. We anticipate delivering through these and other new partnerships with leading trusts to create a programme that meets the needs of, and is supported by, the whole sector. Looking forward, our existing research capacity means learning from the programme can be captured, analysed and disseminated for the benefit of the education system in England and beyond.

The programme will include one-to-one coaching with a successful CEO, alongside ‘immersive learning’. This will take the form of shadowing, deliberate practice and live activities. There will also be online self-study modules and in-person conferences.

We owe it to our pupils to give them the best possible leadership

Sir Dan Moynihan, chair of the School-Led Development Trust, which runs the National Institute of Teaching, said: “Being a CEO of a large school trust is a huge privilege and provides the opportunity to make a real difference to the quality of teaching and education across a number of schools in a community.

“But that privilege comes with a responsibility to get things right, to do the best for your staff and your students, and to know how to run a large group of schools.

“We owe it to our pupils and our teachers to give them the best possible leadership, based on what’s actually happening on the ground in schools. This impressive programme allows new and aspiring CEOs to see behind the scenes in large school trusts, helping them to make connections between what they are learning and how to implement it in real life.”

Baroness Barran, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the School System and Student Finance, said: “We firmly believe that the quality of leadership in schools and trusts is a critical driver for their ability to improve the outcomes of their pupils. We therefore made a commitment to launch a new MAT Chief Executive Officer development programme to boost the pipeline of outstanding leaders.

“We are now delighted to be working with the National Institute of Teaching and our highly-effective MAT CEOs across the country to realise that ambition. Together, we will deliver a sector-leading programme that is tailored to the needs of new CEOs but continues to draw on the expertise that already exists in the system.

“I look forward to welcoming the next generation of leaders following their graduation from the programme and anticipate the impact they will have on ensuring every child receives a great education.”

The first cohort of 25 participants will start the programme in February 2024, with a second cohort of 50 participants following later. Recruitment will begin in autumn 2023, with criteria published online. The programme will be fully-funded by the DfE.

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