Future Leaders

Creating inspirational head teachers to help pupils succeed

Schools with a Future Leader head teacher in post for at least a year achieved an increase of 7 % points from 2010 to 2011 in the proportion of pupils achieving five good GCSEs

There is clear evidence to show the strong link between children's achievement and the quality of leadership available in their schools. The largest study to be conducted in England on the  impact of leadership on pupils' results found that inspirational head teachers can eradicate educational disadvantage and help close the wide gap in attainment between children from the richest and poorest backgrounds. Yet it is the schools most in need of excellent leadership that find it hardest to attract and retain the best candidates.

ARK  launched Future Leaders in 2006, in partnership with the  National College and the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust to address this gap.

The three-year Future Leaders programme trains and nurtures outstanding teachers to take up headships and other senior positions in challenging schools. Future Leaders requires a big commitment in time from participants. Participants usually resign their current jobs to spend the first year of the programme on a full-time apprenticeship in a senior position in a high-need school. They gain further experience for two years at another challenging school, with ongoing support and mentoring.

Future Leaders specifically trains teachers who want to work in the most disadvantaged schools, where they will have a lasting impact on the aspirations of children. 

Watch children and teachers speak about the difference Future Leaders has made in their schools.

Read more

• Impact
• Approach
• See what's planned next
• A Headmaster's story