The Future of Education: What an Experienced Headteacher Thinks Must Change
12 Mar, 20251-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- How schools promote inclusivity and cater to students with diverse needs.
- Changes Headteachers want to see in education.
- The career journey of a Headteacher.
- Advice for aspiring Headteachers.
- Where the latest Headteacher jobs are and how to apply for them.
Headteachers play an important role in ensuring high quality education and developing a schools mission and vision. However, the world of education is constantly evolving and Headteachers must react and evolve with it for students to thrive.
We recently had the opportunity to speak with Headteacher, Paul Urry, who has led multiple schools across the country in his 32 years in education.
Throughout the interview, Paul delves into the changes he would like to see in education and why he thinks these changes would be impactful.
Paul also discusses the biggest challenges for Headteachers, how he creates an inclusive school environment, how to cater to students with diverse needs and what it takes to lead in today’s complex educational landscape.
Can you tell us about your career journey as a Headteacher?
I’ve never met a Headteacher who started their teaching career with the ambition of becoming a Headteacher because that would be insane. The role of a Headteacher suggests someone who’s the best practitioner based on pedagogical theory and is able to adapt these skills to the diverse needs of each child.
Inevitably the role of a Headteacher extends far beyond teaching and is a combination of Finance Manager, Psychological Support Officer, Administrator, Executive, Public Relations Expert, IT Manager, Researcher, Crisis Management Leader, Community Negotiator and HR Officer, to name a few.
All of these roles are expected to be fulfilled while still supporting the needs of students, staff and the wider community.
It’s a lonely and demanding job, but it’s also richly rewarding and a true privilege to have.
I have been fortunate to lead five schools in three different areas of the country, each offering their own unique challenges.
I’ve always surrounded myself with people who challenge me, encourage me to innovate and ensure that we continue to improve for the benefit of all.
In my career, I've worked in a variety of settings including local authority schools, Catholic and Church of England primary schools and I've even led an academy trust school.
My current school will never have academies as I see this as the prioritisation of education that puts the individuals within the academy at the heart and not children. As such, people are attracted to work at my school and remain here.
We do not have any problems recruiting teaching staff, despite the fact we serve a challenging area of Bradford with 20% transience of very high levels of social care and neglect. We are a school that has no rules, but instead has an approach that is unconditionally positively regarded by pupils, staff and parents.
What courses, leadership training or development programs did you undertake before becoming a Headteacher?
I undertook the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), which I found to be a bit idealistic but in no way prepared me for the role.
The best training I ever received was from other Headteachers, their experiences and ideas.
Discussions at Headteacher briefings have been invaluable, providing opportunities to challenge current approaches and instigate new ideas.
If you could implement one change in education immediately, what would it be and why?
I would invest in local authorities and hubs of educational support, knowledge and challenge.
I would stop the accusation process completely but I would ensure that schools are held accountable within this new structure. In this way, Ofsted would be unnecessary but local authority would need to have real powers of engagement and accountability.
I believe this is the best way forward as they know the individual needs, the communities and the knowledge of each individual school rather than a one off visit every five years.
I also don’t understand how a small village school in North Yorkshire can be compared to an urban school in Bradford that serves a community facing high levels of social deprivation and refugees. Education isn’t one-size-fits-all.
How does your school promote inclusivity and cater to students with diverse needs?
We have just been successful in acquiring School of Sanctuary status. We are proud of the community we serve and how they are prepared to engage with us. We have a robust system in place to support families and they engage with us actively to help their children succeed academically, socially and emotionally.
With that being said, the biggest challenge we are currently facing is SEND, especially SEND funding. This is a crisis in education and we are increasingly being asked to take children with a level of need that we cannot meet.
This has a huge financial implication on the school as the money we receive for these children in no way meets the level of cost.
We will soon have well over 20 children with EHC plans, some of whom require one-to-one support throughout the whole day. The lack of space in special provisions is a travesty to these children and their families and schools have become collateral damage in this failing of SEND.
Is there anything within the education system that you hope will change in 2025 and if so why?
I hope that the government will listen to the needs of SEND and address the financial challenges schools are currently facing, by listening to Teachers who live this day in, day out.
Trying to protect our Teachers jobs as well as ensuring that every single child has the highest possible provision of education, is a challenge and is something that is on my mind constantly.
What are your thoughts on the new Labour government and do you believe they will radicalise the education system?
There is an opportunity to seize, however we are in a financial crisis at present. I hope that Labour can look beyond short-term gains and focus on long-term investments in education. Specifically, investing in early years, speech and language development and social emotional mental health will save money in the long run.
What are some key lessons you’ve learned throughout your career in education?
In my 32 years in education, I’ve learned that no two days are the same. Despite having worked in various schools across the country, each day presents new challenges and challenges me in what I can do, what I can control, how I can help and how we can give every child the life chances they need.
What advice would you give to someone who is aspiring to become a Headteacher?
If you’re aspiring to become a Headteacher you need to understand the full extent of the role. If you’re a Deputy Headteacher, take control of the school for one day and see how you feel and what parts of the job you would look forward to.
You have to be consistent, aware of every decision and every reaction you make and every gesture you have around school.
By being consistent you create an atmosphere of calmness where staffing people are prepared to take risks and no have no fear of the repercussions. There's a lot to consider if you want to become a Headteacher. It's not all about the coffee and the biscuits.
SCG educational psychology report
As specialists in SEND recruitment, we work alongside hundreds of Educational Psychologists throughout the UK and are mindful of the challenges they face in their ever evolving role.
After commissioning our own research from Educational Psychologists in both local authorities and private practice, we published the SCG Educational Psychology Workforce Insights Report 2024.
The report delves into trends within educational psychology, funding and resources, industry challenges, policies and legislation and the future of educational psychology.
Read the SCG Educational Psychology Workforce Insights Report 2024 here.
Headteacher jobs
If you’re searching for your next Headteacher position, why not take a look at the latest Headteacher jobs, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Struggling to recruit a Headteacher?
As a specialist Headteacher recruitment agency, we support mainstream and SEND schools, Multi Academy Trusts, Alternative Provisions and Pupil Referral Units (PRU) with their recruitment needs.
If you’re struggling to fill a Headteacher vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?
- North of the UK - Jamie Heath
- South of the UK - Dane Matthews
Share your experience
Every individual brings a unique set of experiences, thoughts, and insights to the table. We believe in giving a voice to a community of professionals to inspire positive change and champion reform in the education sector.
If you work in the education sector and would like to share your own personal and professional experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you have a different perspective, could offer a fresh angle, or want to challenge assumptions.
Simply reach out to our Head of Content, Nicole Sherwood, to discuss a collaboration which makes your voice count.
Meet Jamie Heath
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations.
In 2024, we were named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the prestigious Recruiter Awards, an accolade we are extremely proud of.
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