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What do leaders think of the National College?

Annual survey 2011

The National College has conducted its 2010-11 Annual Opinion Survey focusing on understanding leaders’ development needs and their opinions of the National College in terms of its impact and leadership provision.

An independent research agency, BMG, was responsible for conducting the survey and interviewed 2,250 headteachers, middle leaders, deputy headteachers, assistant headteachers and school business managers, and 500 children's centre leaders/deputy leaders.

The results from the Annual Survey are being used to plan and develop National College leadership provision, and at a time of great change in education, the views of leaders on how the College can serve and support them will be more valuable than ever.

School leaders

  • The majority of school leaders (98 per cent) agree that it is a great job and 91 per cent would recommend their job to others . Middle and senior leaders who aspire to headship and are given leadership and development opportunities, and/or have a line manager who is supportive of them in terms of their leadership development, are more likely to be both satisfied with their job and likely to recommend their job.
  • Three clear management priorities emerge for headteachers: improving pupil/student achievement; teaching standards; and managing finances.
  • Opinion about the effectiveness of the National College remains high, though with some small pockets of dissatisfaction. Leaders who are engaged with the College through membership/provision, and/or aspire to headship have a significantly more positive attitude towards the College.
    • 89 per cent of school leaders agree/agree strongly that  the National College supports the development of current and future school leaders.  
    • 86 per cent of school leaders agree/agree strongly that the National College helps improve the quality of school  leadership, while 5 per cent disagree/disagree strongly.
    • 82 per cent of school leaders agree/agree strongly that the National College understands the challenges facing school leaders; 7 per cent disagree/disagree strongly
  • Aspiration to headship has remained stable, with 70 per cent of deputy/assistant heads and 42 per cent of middle leaders aspiring to headship at some stage of their career.
  • Headteachers are receptive to teaching schools with 81 per cent seeing them as very/fairly appealing.

Early years leaders

  • Of those aware of the National College, the majority of children's centre leaders (85 per cent) state that the College is effective.
  • Among children's centre deputy leaders, 56 per cent aspire to be a children's centre leader, with those who are engaged with the National College more likely to aspire to leadership.
  • Children's centre leaders compared with deputy leaders are more likely to use National College communications, for example 78 per cent have visited the website compared with 60 per cent of deputy leaders.  
  • Of those who are aware of the College, two thirds of children's centre leaders state they have undertaken a National College programme.