"If you are going to write a book about leading a school or trust, it helps if you have led one." Andrew Morrish,
The Authentic LeaderAs crucial as coaching is, your first step from day one as a new headteacher (or executive head/CEO) will be to get yourself a mentor. And when you do, it needs to be someone who knows what it’s like to sit in your chair.
Many schools and trusts offer this service internally (and quite rightly), but with
Mesh you get access to an experienced and impartial, non-judgmental headteacher/CEO who knows your job inside out.
As lead mentor, Sajid Gulzar OBE brings a wealth of experience to the role. Sajid is Executive Principal and founding CEO of the Prince Albert Community Trust (PACT), a MAT of five Primary Schools and one new secondary free school in Birmingham. Sajid is a National Leader of Education, speaks nationally on educational leadership and has worked internationally on behalf of the National Association of Special Educational Needs (NASEN). Sajid has mentored and coached leaders extensively both within PACT and beyond. Sajid is an Honorary Fellow at the University of Birmingham's Education Leadership Academy. He is a former Ofsted inspector and served on the West Midlands Regional School’s Commissioner’s Advisory Board from 2017 until 2022. In June 2019 Sajid was awarded an OBE for Services to Education.
Our mentoring programme is underpinned by the statements in the
NPQ headship framework. We always start with a needs analysis and then help you plan an induction pathway throughout your entire first year as a headteacher.
Don't forget that we also have a number of coaching options available that when blended with mentoring will give you the perfect bespoke leadership support package.
And of course, it goes without saying that psychological safety and confidentiality are guaranteed at all times.
As headteachers, we are not very good at giving ourselves 'me' time. We are great at looking after others, but we seldom put us first.
Mesh is designed to put you back in the driving seat, and with a great companion sitting right beside you, every step of the way.
The Mesh PackageOur virtual
Mentoring Support for Headteachers package provides up to 7 hours' contact and includes:
- An initial needs analysis and development pathway session (one hour)
- A further 5x one-hour mentoring sessions, one per half term at a time to suit (evenings are fine)
- 24/7 email and telephone access to your mentor for on-the-fly advice and support (up to one hour)
- Document review x3, such as your first headteacher report, letter to parents, self-evaluation report, budget plan etc.
- Access to a national network of headteachers, system leaders and CEOs
- The Mesh Leadership Development Reflection toolkit (PROSE)
The investmentTo ensure your investment adds as much value as possible, we know that budgets are tight, especially for smaller schools and trusts. Our prices reflect the size of your organisation, based on circumstances and pupil numbers. One size does not fit all, and so for that reason, we'll discuss price options with you so that you are entirely happy before setting off.
To find out more, fill out the form,
contact us at Makana Leadership or drop us a line using any of our social media channels. Pick up the phone even if you want to (07971 171 515). We are ready to talk to you.
And finally, because we rely on the availability of busy mentors, places are strictly limited to a small number each term. To book your place. or reserve one for the next batch, get in touch today.