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Failing schools turned round by 'superheads'

Parachuting headteachers in to act as consultants or executive heads in schools that are struggling has had a remarkably positive effect on performance, research reveals.

Figures show that – in the first year of a scheme to identify "superheads" (national leaders in education) who could turn round failing schools – a total of 19 schools were removed from the list of failing establishments held by Ofsted, the education standards watchdog, or had a notice to improve withdrawn.

In addition, almost all the struggling schools in the programme saw a major improvement in their national curriculum test and GCSE exam results.

The report, commissioned by the National College for School Leadership, the new body set up to provide training for heads, concludes: "Increasingly, the evidence from both this country and overseas shows that pairing high-performing schools and their leaders with weaker ones can be a significant and positive force for improvement."

At present, 128 headteachers have been identified as "national leaders in education" and have been working with struggling schools for more than a year. The aim is to identify 500 – 300 in primary schools and 200 in secondaries – by 2012. By then, there would be enough expert heads to help out any failing school.

Of the first wave of superheads, one in three have acted as executive heads to the weaker school – taking charge and guiding the existing headteacher to make improvements. The rest have either acted as consultants or "associate" heads giving advice.

Ministers believe the programme could significantly reduce the number of schools – currently at 480 – still on their controversial list of those that have failed to get 30 per cent of their pupils to achieve at least five A* to C grade passes in GCSE, including maths and English. They have warned that schools unable to clear that hurdle by 2010 may face closure or become an academy.

The report calls for recognition of the work of the "national leaders" in the profession's salary structure. Ministers are asked to urge the independent teachers' pay review body to examine and report on "how to develop fair and consistent remuneration criteria as 'National Leaders in Education (NLEs)' become an established feature of the school system".

Successful heads given the task of turning around some of the larger comprehensive schools could earn significantly in excess of £100,000 as a result.

The report, however, warns: "Too many government and public sector programmes start strongly but then fade or are allowed to wither." It says that programmes such as the NLE "are not cure-alls for dealing with underperforming schools but the evidence shows that they are making a strong contribution". It adds that "school leaders, policymakers and politicians should continue to make sure [the programmes] are sustained and maintained in the years to come".

The scheme is expected to get the blessing of Schools minister Jim Knight when he attends the launch of the research at a reception tomorrow night.

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Last Edited Date : November 17 2008 9:42 am