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The National College's work with academies

We recognise that there is something identifiably distinct about academy leadership, and that many academy leaders are working at the cutting edge of school leadership, helping to transform education and raise standards.

As the system becomes increasingly diverse, and schools and academies work with greater freedoms, the College is adapting by developing its approach to working locally with individual academies, as well as groups, federations and families. We are also developing our core leadership development provision to reflect the increasing number of academies to support the leadership challenges faced by current and future academy leaders.

Here are some examples of the work we are currently involved in.

Building leadership capacity and supporting improvement

We have built strong relationships with leaders in both sponsored and conversion academies, particularly through the National Leaders of Education and National Support Schools Programme and Local Leaders of Education programme, helping to support schools and academies in challenging circumstances.

Of the original group of 203 sponsored academies, over one fifth have been supported, or are still being supported by national leaders of education (NLEs), and many of the independent and chains of academies are led by NLEs.

In fact, among the 224 schools approved to convert to academy status in 2010, over a third are led by national or local leaders of education, and more are applying to become NLEs to help them in their school-to-school support commitment

• Find out more about the National Leaders of Education and National Support Schools Programme
• Find out more about the Local Leaders of Education Programme
• Read our related case studies

Teaching schools

The first application round for teaching schools has now taken place. Find out more about teaching schools.

Academies research project

We have undertaken research to gain a better understanding of the distinctive nature of leadership in academies and how it differs from maintained schools, as well as to understand what it means for a successful school to convert to academy status and the leadership implications of doing so. The full report and findings are now available.

Succession planning in academies

We offer support for identifying and developing future academy leaders. This takes a variety of forms and can be tailored to meet particular needs and context. Examples include the following:

Local solutions

We are working with groups of academies in particular regions. Examples of this work so far includes:

• A talent development programme for emergent academy leaders in Yorkshire and the Humber which responds to local needs and has been co-created with academy principals in the region.
• The development of a local version of the national Associate Academy Principals Programme (AAPP). This programme will be delivered locally in Kent and surrounding areas. It will take into account the distinctive needs and challenges of the academies within the region and will be shaped to meet the specific challenges and succession planning issues in the region.

Support developments in chains

We are working with established or emerging chains of academies to support a number of areas, including:

• development and quality assurance of systematic succession planning, talent management and leadership development strategies for the chain
• support with programme design and delivery
• developing new models of leadership across the chain, including all-through leadership
• supporting system leadership strategies within and beyond the chain

Finance and accounting skills training for school business managers

We have developed a new qualification for school business managers, particularly for those in academies and free schools. Find out more about this new programme.

Partnership working

The National College’s work has always been founded on developing strong partnerships, so that we can best understand and support the needs and challenges of all school and academy leaders. As well as working closely with chains, we have developed strong partnerships and alliances with a number of key organisations who together represent the interests of the widest range of academy leaders. These include:

• Foundation, Aided Schools and Academies National Association (FASNA)
• Independent Academies Association (IAA)
• Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT)

Relevant resources

We have already produced a range of resources for existing and aspiring leaders of academies. Find out more about these resources.