By Becky Cox, School Effectiveness Adviser & Head of Secondary School Leadership
As a former head of sixth, I know only too well how many plates there are to keep spinning! We often liken the role to being head of a school within a school: sixth form leaders are usually balancing curriculum planning, support for students’ wellbeing, and advice on post-18 destinations, all while striving to raise standards. We therefore feel it’s crucial that HFL Education provides expertise to support our sixth form leaders in all these areas.
We know that leaders value high-quality training and networking opportunities. Our annual summer Sixth Form conference has been bringing together around 50 sixth form leaders from Hertfordshire and surrounding areas for a number of years. This year we’ve expanded this to Yorkshire, thanks to our work with the Red Kite Alliance. Leaders tell us that they love being able to network with their peers, and we make sure that there are opportunities at all our events for leaders to benefit from hearing about the great practice in other schools.
Through our links with organisations such as ASCL and UCAS, we’re also able to provide that vital “horizon scanning” to make sure that heads of sixth forms stay informed about policy changes and the national landscape. Our own advisers are able to support leaders in developing their programmes in personal development, wellbeing and careers. We’re planning an exciting announcement about the training we will be offering next year, so watch this space!
One of the biggest challenges for leaders is understanding how 16–19 funding works, and we are fortunate in having a national 16–19 funding expert, Suki Gill, in our team. Suki provides training for school leaders, including business and data managers, up and down the country, as well as offering more focused funding reviews for individual schools. Her analysis enables schools to make sure they are maximising the funding they are entitled to. At a time when schools’ budgets are so stretched, this has never been more important.
Headteachers and sixth form leaders also really value the external perspective provided by a review from one of our SEAs. These are bespoke to individual schools: for example, we might focus on developing the sixth form culture, on how more students might achieve top grades, or on how to ensure that those from disadvantaged backgrounds are fulfilling their potential. Through activities such as data analysis, lesson visits and student voice, we help schools reflect on their practice, refine their strategies and prioritise the actions that will have the greatest impact.
We can provide you with all the support and challenge you need to develop and sustain a thriving sixth form with great student outcomes – and with no smashed plates!
Further information on how we can support the development of your sixth form
Sign up for our half-termly Post-16 Digest
Email us at HFL.Post16@hfleducation.org
