Headteacher Recruitment and Retention Working Group minutes: 19 June 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Jennifer Crockett, Association of Directors of Education Scotland (Chair)
• Aleksandra Jonca, Scottish Government
• David Leitch, Scottish Government
• Gillian Hamilton, Education Scotland
• Lesley Whelan, Education Scotland
• Iain McDermott, Education Scotland
• Seamus Searson, Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association
• Victoria Smith, General Teaching Council for Scotland
• Valerie Inkster, Educational Institute of Scotland
•  
• Lindsey Stanley, ADES Personnel Network
• Karen Emmett, AHDS
• Suzanne McLeod, COSLA
• Graham Hutton, School Leaders Scotland
• Shagufta Nasar, The Scottish Association of Minority Ethnic Educators
• Rosmary Grady, University of Edinburgh
• Jennifer Crockett, Association of Directors of Education Scotland (Chair)
• Aleksandra Jonca, Scottish Government
• David Leitch, Scottish Government
• Gillian Hamilton, Education Scotland
• Lesley Whelan, Education Scotland
• Iain McDermott, Education Scotland
• Seamus Searson, Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association
• Victoria Smith, General Teaching Council for Scotland
• Valerie Inkster, Educational Institute of Scotland
• Lindsey Stanley, ADES Personnel Network
• Karen Emmett, AHDS
• Suzanne McLeod, COSLA
• Graham Hutton, School Leaders Scotland
• Shagufta Nasar, The Scottish Association of Minority Ethnic Educators
• Rosmary Grady, University of Edinburgh
• Fiona Robertson, Headteacher Perth Grammar, Perth and Kinross
• Madeline Baker, Headteacher Drumchapel High School
• Andrew Boulind, Headteacher Pitfour Primary, Aberdeenshire
• Gemma Kennedy, Headteacher Banchory Primary, Clackmannanshire

 

Apologies

• Stuart Bain, COSLA
• Archie Glen, Community Trade Union
• Andrene Bamford, Educational Institute of Scotland
• Zoè Robertson, Scottish Council of Deans of Education

Items and actions

The chair welcomed attendees both online and in person, introduced colleagues from the Sustainable School Leadership (SSL) Project, and outlined the format for the meeting.

Minutes of Previous Meeting (18/03/25)

The Secretariat noted a spelling correction in a member’s surname. The minutes were otherwise accepted as accurate.

 

Update from the Sustainable School Leadership Project

The group received an update on the SSL Project, including progress on the national data collection exercise, which will inform a forthcoming National Case Study Report.

A policy workshop is scheduled for 17 September 2025 at the COSLA Conference Centre to raise awareness and engage stakeholders.

SSL project members sought input from HTRRWG on potential invitees to this workshop. Suggestions included:

• Representation from Local Authorities, facilitated via ADES and the seven regional quads
• Sharing the workshop recording at the Directors of Education Forum
• Scottish Government to circulate invites to relevant policy teams
• Consideration of a separate workshop in light of ongoing education reform
• Invitation to the Director General for Education and Justice
• Ensuring union representation

SSLP colleagues presented paper four, highlighting consistent themes across the UK: headteachers are overstretched, and there is a need for enhanced preparation for headship roles, including secondments and local authority experience.

The group noted the value of the recent SLS workload survey as a tool for understanding current challenges.

 

Into Headship Experiences and Outcomes- previous participants

The group welcomed former participants of the following professional learning programmes:

• Into Headship
• In Headship
• Excellence in Headship Stretch
• How of Change
• CCLS

Participants represented diverse geographical and school contexts, offering insights into their career journeys and challenges. Key themes included:

• Increased safeguarding responsibilities
• Rising demand for Additional Support Needs support
• Lack of trauma-informed training for teachers

All of the participants’ testimonials highlighted the importance of:

• Dedicated time for professional learning to support strategic thinking
• Lifelong learning for leadership development starting with middle leaders
• 360-degree feedback
• Establishing a national headteacher mentoring programme

The group agreed that regular sessions featuring lived experiences would be valuable for future meetings.

 

Any Other Business

Item 6 on the agenda and Creating a Framework for Teacher Education and Development paper to be discussed at the next meeting scheduled for 02 September 2025