Nine Steps to Executive Headship

Paul K. Ainsworth is an experienced system leader, author and speaker. He has held a range of leadership positions, including Headteacher at a secondary school, Education Director in four Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), Chair of Governors for nine academies, and interim chair of a regional MAT.

"Executive leadership is far harder than it looks from the outside. You can't be everywhere, you can't direct, and you often can't even make the small adjustments you'd make in a single school. Paul takes that reality seriously and gives leaders a clear way to work through it. A genuinely useful book for anyone leading across more than one school.”Shane Leaning, Founder & Organisational Coach, Education Leaders“Paul's work is always so refreshing in a world full of gimmicks. Through his work, Paul reminds us that in education, the only real way to make lasting changing is through hard work and reflective practice. Coming from a place of humility and experience, this is a really thought provoking and well-sequenced read.” Claire Henry, Deputy Headteacher in secondary education "Paul has a brilliant ability to take complex issues and bring them to 'real world' application. This work is testimony to his vast and actionable experience across the sector. In it, Paul provides a blueprint for how to scale and sustain school improvement in a way that puts the role of Headteachers and system leaders at the core. In a time when less people are choosing to embrace Headship and system leader roles, it is a much needed publication that provides insight, evidence and, above all, hope in the fact that these roles matters for communities that we serve"Sean Harris, Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, Award winning author and education leader, Director of PLACE - Tees Valley Education"I have known Paul for several years and worked closely with him during that time. I have always valued his perspective - thoughtful, practical, and rooted in a deep understanding of school leadership. His work on Executive Headship offers a helpful framework for leaders to reflect on the complex demands of leading across schools, trusts and federations. I particularly appreciate the way Paul seeks to make this work manageable, structured, and grounded in real experience. I am delighted to support Paul in sharing this valuable contribution with the wider education community."Alice Gregson, Independent leadership specialist leading Elevating Leadership“Executive Headship remains one of the least understood yet most important leadership roles in education. Paul Ainsworth's work provides a clear, credible and highly accessible roadmap for leaders seeking to make a genuine difference across multiple schools. It deserves a place on the reading list of every aspiring and serving Executive Head”Dr Rosemary Taylor, Specialist in Child and Adolescent Development

• AcknowledgementsPreface IntroductionThe why and the what of Executive Headship Workshop: What is Executive Headship and what are the associated skills required? Think Piece: What type of leaders do Executive Heads need to be? Section I: The tip of the icebergStep 1: Building one vision. Step 2: Fostering shared purpose for your community. Step 3: Unleashing the capacity of your team. Workshop: Executive Headship – The tip of the iceberg Think Piece: Using the skills of ‘Nudge’Section II: The engine at the centre Step 4: Turning processes into habits. Step 5: Developing the curriculum. Step 6: Impactful quality assurance Workshop: Executive Headship - The engine at the centre Think Piece: Reaching a ‘Tipping Point’ of excellence Section III: Hidden from view Step 7: Effective data usage Step 8: Delivering continual improvement. Step 9: Insightful governance Workshop: Executive Headship - Hidden from viewThinking Piece: Leaders who are ‘Multipliers’ List of Contributors Further Reading