Talking Heads

Background

The idea for Talking Heads grew from the developing interest in headship and the role headteachers play in creating an effective learning culture in schools. In recent years, a number of programmes and initiatives have been launched to address the question of leadership in schools. The HEADLAMP programme for serving heads was followed by the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and the Leadership Programme for Serving Headteachers (LPSH). The National College for School Leadership, designed to give focus and direction to the Green Paper’s vision of a national training framework for heads at every stage of their careers, begins its work in late 2000. The framework covers preparation for headship, induction programmes for new heads, and an extension programme to give opportunities for further professional development to experienced heads.

There are many reasons for this increased profile, but one major factor is the consistent evidence from research into school effectiveness that the quality of the headteacher is one of the key factors in creating a learning culture and raising achievement in schools. There is a rich source of experience and expertise among practising heads, which has been underused as a learning resource. Talking Heads aims to access some of that experience and expertise and make it available to a wider audience.