Every
child has potential. We help them realise it by developing outstanding
leaders for challenging urban schools.
Our
mission is to help develop the next generation of leaders for
challenging schools so that more schools in disadvantaged areas
can offer their pupils a better future. Achieving this mission
will not be easy, but our research has shown that it can be achieved
if we relentlessly hold to the five following beliefs:
EVERY CHILD - All children can achieve
even in the most complex urban environments
NO EXCUSES - Adults (teachers and
other school staff, parents and carers) are responsible for ensuring
all children reach their potential
HIGH EXPECTATIONS - Providing a high
quality education is vital for a fair society that affords every
child the full range of opportunities in life
LEAD LEARNING - Great schools are
led by great leaders who have a focus on learning and attract,
develop and coach great staff to reach every child
NO ISLANDS - A large number of excellent
school leaders can lead to a sustainable improvement across the
education system. This is crucial to enable all children to succeed
Every child has potential.
Karen Chamberlain (Cohort '07), Assistant Deputy Headteacher, Lilian Baylis School London
Young people in challenging urban schools do not, in general,
perform as well as their intellectual counterparts in other schools.
Pupils living in the top quartile of affluent areas have a nearly 75%
chance of achieving five good GCSEs, compared to only 40% of pupils
from areas in the bottom quartile of income areas (1). As a result,
many pupils from deprived backgrounds do not get the futures they
deserve. There are many examples of good leadership in these schools,
focused on improving both classroom practice and basic literacy
and numeracy skills, that are a compelling way to give these pupils
a better future.
In every school, the quality of the headteacher influences the
quality of teaching, which affects pupil performance. This is
one of the reasons that some schools with the highest proportions
of pupils on free school meals outperform their more affluent
peers, even with their more disadvantaged intake (2).
Do you share our passion for improving the life chances of children
in challenging schools?
If so, find out why we think you should join the Future Leaders
programme. Click here
1. ACORN data on residential neighbourhoods; good GCSE defined
as A*-C GCSE/GNVQ equivalent. 2006
2. GCSE/GNVQ performance of secondary schools with different levels
of free school meals. NCSL Research 2003
Future Leaders is a company limited by guarantee.
Registered in England no.5829256.
Registered charity no.1116801
