World Class Leaders For Highland Schools

ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

A new generation of leaders are being trained in Highland and Moray schools, thanks to nearly £1 million funding from the Executive.

Highland will receive £600,000 to boost leadership skills in their school and education authority staff.  The project will set up online training tools and create a leadership community that existing and aspiring leaders can turn to for advice.

Moray will receive £300,000 to develop its leaders through a coaching project.  It will help teachers and council workers to identify and achieve their ambitions.
 
The announcement was made by Deputy Education Minister Robert Brown at a meeting with headteachers from across the Highland area today.

He said: “Strong, high performing schools are driven by effective leaders. Great leadership can transform a school, motivating pupils and staff alike.

“But you don’t have to be a headteacher to be a great education leader. We have inspirational leaders at all levels of our education system, from teachers who champion new methods in the classroom to authority staff who support and motivate their colleagues.

“These leadership projects will help us build on that potential, equipping a new generation with the skills and vision to make our world-class education system even better.”

Director of Education, Culture and Sport for The Highland Council, Bruce Robertson, said:

“We are delighted that the Scottish Executive has agreed to support such an important development in Highland. We will introduce a leadership development programme for staff at all levels in the service with a particular focus on succession planning for headteachers and opportunities for middle managers.

“We have had a great deal of interest in the project from staff across the Highlands. It will help us grow the very best leaders in our schools – and that’s good news for Highland communities.

Director of Education for Moray Council, Donald Duncan, welcomed the initiative. He said:

“Leadership is not just the province of senior managers. It has to be a part of everyone’s day-to-day responsibility whether they be in the classroom, in the headteacher’s office, the community centre, library or headquarters.

“Our aim is to build leadership capacity at all levels within educational services in order to maximise the benefits for all our stakeholders. In Moray we are committed to our staff and their wellbeing, and this project is further evidence that we are continuing to forge ahead in the field of leadership development.”