Welcome to Into Headship at the Strathclyde Institute of Education

The Into Headship programme, first developed in 2015, is designed for suitably experienced teachers who are in the final stages of their development towards the role of headteacher. This preparatory stage is critical in building the capabilities necessary for strategic leadership. The purpose of the Into Headship programme is to further develop the skills, knowledge and understanding, professional values, abilities and commitment for participants to move into headship with the confidence to lead a dynamic school community. The Into Headship programme must enable participants to demonstrate their achievement of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTC Scotland) Standard for Headship (GTC Scotland, 2021), as part of the process of being and becoming a headteacher. The Scottish Parliament passed legislation to make this a requirement of appointment to a headteacher post in local authority and grant- aided schools in Scotland from August 2020.
 
Education Scotland works in partnership with seven universities, local authorities and other stakeholders to lead the ongoing development of the Into Headship programme, which includes a 60-credit postgraduate certificate at SCQF Level 11 and can form part of a Masters leadership pathway, for example, the Specialist Qualification for Headship Masters in Scotland. Into Headship can also be a standalone post-graduate certificate programme, or part of other Masters degrees.
 
An external evaluation of the Into Headship programme was undertaken by Professor Alma Harris and the report published in September 2022. This report evidenced that “Into Headship is a well-established and highly effective programme that prepares participants to meet the GTC Scotland Standard for Headship” (Harris, 2022, p.11). The collaboration between all partners was highlighted as a significant strength of the Into Headship programme.

The Into Headship programme, first developed in 2015, is designed for suitably experienced teachers who are in the final stages of their development towards the role of headteacher. This preparatory stage is critical in building the capabilities necessary for strategic leadership. The purpose of the Into Headship programme is to further develop the skills, knowledge and understanding, professional values, abilities and commitment for participants to move into headship with the confidence to lead a dynamic school community. The Into Headship programme must enable participants to demonstrate their achievement of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTC Scotland) Standard for Headship (GTC Scotland, 2021), as part of the process of being and becoming a headteacher. The Scottish Parliament passed legislation to make this a requirement of appointment to a headteacher post in local authority and grant- aided schools in Scotland from August 2020.
 
Education Scotland works in partnership with seven universities, local authorities and other stakeholders to lead the ongoing development of the Into Headship programme, which includes a 60-credit postgraduate certificate at SCQF Level 11 and can form part of a Masters leadership pathway, for example, the Specialist Qualification for Headship Masters in Scotland. Into Headship can also be a standalone post-graduate certificate programme, or part of other Masters degrees.
 
An external evaluation of the Into Headship programme was undertaken by Professor Alma Harris and the report published in September 2022. This report evidenced that “Into Headship is a well-established and highly effective programme that prepares participants to meet the GTC Scotland Standard for Headship” (Harris, 2022, p.11). The collaboration between all partners was highlighted as a significant strength of the Into Headship programme.

Taken from National Guidance: Into Headship published by Education Scotland, 2024.