Search for new headteacher - parents letter.

[FoofyShmooffer]

I'm hoping this will be in the right section. I'll give a try.

Our school are looking for a new Headteacher as the old one left at Christmas. I have been asked to write a letter, as a parent, describing what would be required and expected and certainly hoped for in a headteacher for our school. We were a 'notice to improve' school 2 years ago. The school is now unrecognisable and just received 'Good' at ofsted.

So, has anyone heard of this letter requirement? What in Gods name am I going to write? I am desperate for ideas please!

It's not common but certainly not unique, to ask members of the "school community" to set out what they want in a prospective Head. When we were recruiting, our children made a poster with what they were looking for!
Just think what you would want your Head to be, presumably approachable, firm but fair, good sense of humour, involved in community life ( esp if a church school!) and anything else you would want!

Ah right. Thankyou. At least it's not unheard of.

I think I just need a starting point. I'm pleased to be the one asked but I've only got a few days and it needs to be right.

Hmm Tiggy, it was all of those. I get the impression that they want someone who will maintain the school as it is and build on the improvements. Not a trailblazer but someone who appreciates the school as it works and can see areas that can be added to.
Oh I don't know. I need to just sit down and do it.

I would say that tiggytape's idea is really good. Have youbeen at the school for long enough to remember 'before' and 'after' the recent improvement? Can you put your finger on some specific things that the head might have done to contribute to it e.g. built a strong staff team, made certain that good things were happening across the school if they were already happening in one place, been more rigorous in approach to some things, altered the curriculum, enrolled the wider community in helping to turn the school round, communicated brilliantly to parents?

I keep an eye on what is happening in DS's old primary school - which turned him into a selective mute and, after a period of significant upheaval, crashed into Special Measures. They currently have an executive head who is turning it round brilliantly - has changed the curriculum, got lots of people in from the community to run after-school clubs and hep out in various ways (old head practically barred the doors), picked up on the simple things like uniform but also on marking in children's books and setting of worthwhile homework, recruited some key new staff, got in some external expertise to help with SEN provision ... and meanwhile writes detailed weekly newsletters setting out EXACTLY what is happening each week in all these areas which is reassuring everyone that things are on the right track. they too are recruiting, and it is those things that I as a parent would be putting in a 'wanted'; letter for a new head for that school.

That's brilliant Teacher thankyou

(it makes me wonder if we're talking about the same school)

That gives me loads to go on.

OK first thing to remember you will not be the only group asked, they will ask the pupils and the staff too. You are feeding into the final process and not have ultimate responsbility, this is your chance to give a flavour of the school. So how about something like:

Dear Candidate

Our school has been through some tough times recently when we went from NtI to a Good Ofsted, so you will know that we are not afraid of the hard work which it took to get us to this point. We want to be an excellent / outstanding school because we think that is what our children deserve. We want each child to know that they have a gift and to have that gift recognised. We know that not all children are academically gifted but we want a school who will ensure that all children work to their fullest potential and get a really well rounded education. We want to ensure that all our pupils love learning in whatever form it takes.

Now as to you, we want to be able to talk to you and be listened to, to see you out there in the playground either when we bring our children to school in the morning or when we collect them in the afternoon. We want you to be a good leader, to be able to trust you (we are lending you have our most precious items), on occasion we will need you to be our friend, but we will also need you to be professional and keep your distance at other times. We expect you to be fair with everyone and when necessary to laugh at yourself in front of your students. We expect you to be au fait with the latest trends in education but to have the ability to cherry pick what is going to be best for our children. We also know that this is a real challenge, maintaining a good school and pushing it that extra bit to make it shine above other rather than coasting.

Finally when you are being interviewed, we want to know that the first thing you think when you answer a question is, "how will that affect the children in my care and how will it improve things for them?"

Latte fab really. So so helpful thankyou.

Absolutely don't want to offend but I am a HT of many years and I think the letter above is quite patronising. These sentiments are more appropriate for a newish teacher not someone who is ready to be a HT. It would really put me off. By the time you are ready for headship these things are a given.

It would make me think that the governors don't have very high expectations of their HT, if that made it into the application pack.

Try mentioning some more concrete issues...anti bullying, better curriculum, higher standards etc etc

Thanks Christine. this is the thing you see. I know I'm the only parent who has been asked and I think I've been looking for, well, a tone if you like. Once I have the tone right I should be good to go.

It's always good to hear what parents are offering in terms of support not just what they want. Eg we have an active PTA, 14 volunteer reading helpers, and 3parents who run after school clubs. We want a Ht who is strong on anti bullying actions, and will make sure all our children do well in English and Maths. We like it when the children do lots of sport and when homework is clear and focused.

I'd stick to quite factual and direct...it's more professional.

OP, your last post worries me. The governors of the school have the responsibility to appoint the new head teacher and it is a good idea to ask for and take note of what parents, pupils and the local community think that they want.
However to know that you are the only parent being asked makes me wonder why that is so. Is it just a token effort to consult or is it because you have a position that would make it appropriate (chair of PTA?) or what.
I agree with Chrsitinecagney, that the tone should be factual and direct for what is the most important decision that the school governing body will make.
As a chair of governors I just wonder whether the GB are actually on top of this critical part of their job or whether they are floundering around as much as you are to know what to say.

Well obviously admission, I can't really answer any of those questions.
All I can go off with regards the GB and their capability of finding the right head is the last head they appointed who was wonderful and has turned our school around.
With regards to myself, well I have a child in yr6 and a child in Reception and I am a Parent volunteer/ TA student 2 days a week,so no actual 'standing' in the school. I can however string a coherent sentence together which may be why I was asked. Who knows?
I appreciate all the ideas given, thankyou.