PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

8^th May 2007

Prospective Catholic heads take inspiration from Henry V

At the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) today, up to 100 leaders and future leaders from both inside and outside the Catholic sector met to reflect upon and explore ongoing creative solutions to the challenge of securing and retaining leaders for Catholic schools and colleges. ‘Leading Catholic Schools and Sixth Form Colleges in the 21^st Century: Opportunities, Rewards and Challenges’ is this year’s two-day national Catholic education conference organised by the Catholic Education Service of England and Wales (CES) and sponsored by the NCSL. 

Shakespeare’s Henry V set the stage for a model of authentic leadership; a character who knew what he wanted to achieve and wasn’t afraid to take the first steps.  This was a man who inspired the troops, allocated the right resources to the task, made time for reflection, knew how to deal with traitors and overcame the ‘dark night of the soul’. The Olivier Mythodrama company presented this highly original Henry V workshop to the conference delegates. 

“The head is not a superhero but a person in service,” said Oona Stannard, Chief Executive and Director of the CES in her opening presentation.  “In such vital work the head both deserves and is entitled to our support…As a community we should be supporting our Catholic schools and all who work and lead in them”.  The role of headteacher is about ”bringing people together, to provide support, to offer vision, working inspirationally and collaboratively to build consensus”. 

A special welcome was extended to delegates currently teaching or leading beyond the Catholic sector.  Ms Stannard urged them to consider applying for leadership in the Catholic sector and assured them of a warm welcome.   She also acknowledged the valuable work that Catholic heads do leading community schools.

Conference speaker Steve Munby, Chief Executive of the NCSL said the Catholic sector can be “confident” about the quality of heads already working in Catholic schools and colleges, which are “much more successful (than other maintained schools) at creating an ethos where pupils learn effectively”. He acknowledged that there is “hard stuff still to do” but that the Catholic sector has a very strong base upon which to nurture prospective leaders.  Mr Munby also recognised the distinctive nature of the Catholic school or college, in stating that headteacher recruitment and retention is “particularly important for Catholic schools, so as not to lose experienced spiritual leaders”.

Other speakers at the conference include Kate Griffin, President of the International Confederation of Principals and Fr. Michael Holman SJ, former headteacher of a voluntary-aided school and Jesuit Provincial. The two-day programme will tackle the stereotypes of headship and encourage creative and distinctive solutions to the challenge of securing heads for the future.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• A presentation on the national succession planning pilot will showcase the good practice of the two Catholic dioceses that have been chosen to take part in the prestigious national project funded by NCSL.  Seminars will cover a wide range of topics such as leadership in 14-19 collaboration, leading for inclusion and the leadership of federated schools.

• Participation is aimed at prospective applicants for headship posts in primary and secondary schools, special schools and sixth form colleges, including those not currently teaching or leading in the Catholic sector, governors and others with responsibility for appointments and succession planning and others interested in promoting headship in Catholic schools and colleges such as heads running federations, executive collaborations and children's centres.

• The Right Reverend Peter Doyle, Bishop of Northampton and member of the Bishops’ Conference Department of Catholic Education and Formation will be in attendance, joining the conference to celebrate Mass on the evening of 8^th May.

For more information please contact Laura McCann  t: 0207 901 4854 e: lmccann@cesew.org.uk w: www.cesew.org.uk.