Supervision for Head Teachers and Senior Leaders

Senior leaders in education are a full range of wonderful humans with varying degrees of knowledge, wisdom, competency, skill and fears but all of whom went into the job because they wanted to change children and young people’s lives for the better.

Our mission is to provide supervision to senior leaders in education and supervision training to the education sector.  In doing so, we support educational leaders in continuing to be the best they can be for the children and young people they work with.

We keep relationships at the heart of everything we do – this is central to our supervision for senior leaders.

We safeguard the safeguarders and the systems in which children and young people grow and develop.

We believe well supported Leaders change lives and supervision facilitates them in being resourced, creative, compassionate, flexible and to maintain space for relationships.

Head teachers and Senior Leaders are the culture setters of any educational institution, responsible for the overall performance, morale, and success of their educational settings.

The demands placed on head teachers and senior leaders are immense. The ethical complexity and decision making combined with the need to maintain confidentiality means that the emotional labour is high. The role also encompasses not only academic leadership but also administrative responsibilities, staff management, and student welfare.

Supervision for head teachers offers a dedicated space to reflect on their practice, discuss challenges, and develop strategies for effective leadership that continues to hold professional purpose – impact on children/young people, at its heart. In social work and mental health, supervision is part of the culture.

It is long overdue in education

 Professional Growth and Development

Supervision provides headteachers/senior leaders with the opportunity to engage in continuous professional development. Through regular sessions, they can reflect on their experiences, gain new insights, refine their leadership skills, love their work and place children and young people at the heart of what they do. This ongoing development is crucial for adapting to the ever-changing landscape of education. We see a huge increase in confidence as supervisory relationships continue.

Enhanced Decision-Making

The complex nature of a headteacher or senior leader’s role requires sound decision-making skills. Supervision helps to process information, consider multiple perspectives, and make informed decisions that benefit their school community. If they are having to make these kinds of decision every day where they are expected to be clear thinking and able to weigh up all perspectives and stakeholder concerns then they need a professional space that not only allows them to download the weight of what is being carried but can help us then make sense of it all.

Improved Well-being and Resilience

The pressures of leading a school can take a toll on a headteacher’s mental and emotional well-being. Supervision provides a safe, confidential space to discuss personal/professional challenges and develop coping strategies. This support is vital for maintaining resilience and preventing burnout. Supervision helps safeguard the safeguarders and the systems in which children and young people can thrive.

Effective Leadership and Team Management

Supervision helps to develop effective leadership styles and improve team management skills. By reflecting on their interactions with staff, Headteachers/Senior Leaders can foster a positive school culture and build strong, collaborative teams. It is also a place where they receive a different kind of challenge. Senior Leaders can rely on being held accountable to their moral, ethical and organisational principles in a way that is not like the other external perspectives/judgements made on schools. It is a safe place to professionally “not know”. A place that not many Senior Leaders are allowed to safely inhabit and grow.

At Talking Heads Supervision, we offer a range of supervision services specifically for head teachers and senior leaders. Our experienced supervisors understand the unique challenges of educational leadership and provide a supportive, non-judgmental space for reflection and growth.

The supervision relationship always begins with our Director, Lisa, speaking to the prospective supervisee to consider who, from our team might be a good fit.  This is based on the needs of the Headteacher/Senior Leader and the skills and experience of the Associate Supervisor.  These details will be confirmed with the supervisee directly and referred to in our supervision agreement with the education setting.  The right fit of Supervisor is key. Whilst we always match the supervisee to someone in the initial call, we are clear in that call they can come back to us and meet someone else once they have learnt more about what was not quite right. Someone on our team will be the right fit and senior leaders are not stuck with someone they don’t connect with. Choice is key and we are proud to offer this.

We have learnt that it takes several sessions to develop the full benefits of supervision, and the expectation is that there will be a minimum of three sessions per term.  There is no maximum.  We suggest that sessions are booked at least one term in advance.  Education settings are invoiced at the beginning of each term for the sessions that are due to take place that term.  It works out at a minimum of nine sessions per academic year.

Our individual supervision sessions meet the unique needs of Headteachers/Senior Leaders at each session they attend. Every session focuses on their own development and that of their setting and is uniquely responsive to exactly what is needed. These sessions provide a confidential space.  It is unique relationship that is attended to when you are really okay at work and flourishing – it is only then that any relationship can catch us when life/work throws a curveball which challenges us. Ultimately if we have made an “error” then we need a safe place to be able to unravel that and somewhere where we will not be shamed but held to account in a way that helps work out what next.

Most supervision sessions take place online although all our Associate Supervisors can offer in person sessions if they happen to be in the same area as the supervisee.  We also try and meet in person at some point during the supervision relationship (even if its once every couple of years) if at all possible.  Our online supervision sessions offer the flexibility to receive support from the comfort of your own office or home (recommended). These virtual sessions are as effective as face-to-face meetings, providing convenience without compromising on quality. We will talk you through how to prepare, arrive for them so they maximise your experience.