The Future Leaders Programme
"This is our first year of active involvement in the Future Leaders programme and we are deeply impressed with the selection process and high quality of our Future Leader. The philosophy of early identification of potential talent and a year-long residency followed by further support is an ideal programme for developing the future leaders of challenging schools." John Cornally, Headteacher, Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College, North West
There are 3 stages to the application process
The Future Leaders selection process is based on a competency framework which has been developed to identify leadership qualities in candidates.
Stage one - Application form
In the online stage of the process you will be asked to complete the following:
- Two essays (to be assessed against our competency framework)
- Your education and work history
- Cognitive tests and personality questionnaire
If your application meets the required standard we will then contact your referees.
Stage two - Assessment centre
If you are successful at our online application stage and we have received satisfactory references, you will be invited to attend an half a day assessment centre.
Each assessment centre comprises the following elements, though not necessarily in this order:
Role play - You will take part in a short, school-themed role play to assess how you respond to challenges. You will be fully briefed prior to this activity and will have preparation time ahead of meeting a character played by a professional actor.
Group exercise - Designed to test how you think, solve problems, express solutions and interact with other people.
Competency-based focused interview -You will have a one-on-one interview with one of our assessors, focusing on how you lead and work with others.
Stage three - Matching and lesson observation (applicable to candidates applying for the external route only)
Matching is the process whereby the regional and central teams begin to arrange residency placements by matching candidates to schools based on their development needs. It comprises of the following elements:
Telephone interview - The first part of matching will be a telephone interview with a member of the regional team - this interview will focus on your skills and key achievements.
Matching visit and lesson observation - Future Leaders staff will then discuss the skills and key achievements of the candidates with the schools. If the school feel a candidate will be a good fit then a matching interview and lesson observation will take place at the school. All matching visits vary depending on the school and may include, but not be limited to the following elements: lesson observation, formal interview with the Headteacher and other members of the senior leadership team, students and occasionally the governors.