Cheshire West and Chester Local Authority ‘Headspace’ a case study from Cheshire West and Chester Local Authority Hilary Berry is the Chair of the Association of Primary Headteachers at Cheshire West and Chester Local Authority. Here she outlines the benefits of the Headspace Programme that they have been running at Cheshire West and Chester for the last few years. We continue to work with Education Support Partnership’s Headspace Programme because of the hugely positive impact it has on our headteachers year after year. Experienced as well as new headteachers benefit. They learn a lot about leadership, managing change, strategy, prioritising, listening and facilitating. But the course offers much more than the tangible skills. Most of the feedback we have from the gatherings are positive comments about being able to talk openly about challenges, a time for reflection, the confidence they feel after a shared experience, learning to look after themselves for the good of the job, their staff and pupils as well as their own wellbeing and building professional and personal relationships with peers in a safe environment. We believe the Headspace Programme has aided the retention of headteachers as well as staff at their schools. The added benefit of Headspace is that the networking that starts on the course continues beyond the classroom. They continue to support each other professionally and personally within the framework and principles of the course. The value of the course is unquestionable and we would highly recommend it to others. “We choose to run the Headspace Programme because of the value it brings to all of our participating headteachers. It equips them with strategies which help in their professional lives but also offers a guide to their own personal development and wellbeing, in turn increasing their leadership skills, abilities and confidence. We believe the positive and motivational effect of the Headspace Programmes have aided retention at a leadership level as well as with school staff, as the influence of the programme principles cascade through the schools.” Hilary Berry, Chairman of the Association of Primary Headteachers, Cheshire West and Cheshire Local Authority.

The ‘Headspace Programme’ for headteachers. “Headspace has helped me to put my missions into reality. The group always help you refocus, keep your feet on the ground yet aim high.” Why work with us? We have worked with over 3,000 headteachers over the last 10 years. The networking aspect of the programme has proved extremely valuable to headteachers. Our skilled facilitators have a deep understanding of the issues facing headteachers today The Headspace Programme can help Governing bodies to demonstrate Duty of Care. “I look forward to our groups as it has become my opportunity, within an extremely busy schedule, to step back, reflect and look at myself as a leader within education.” “We feel equipped with strategies to meet critical moments head on and at the same time ensuring we do not forget about our own mental health and wellbeing. It’s also reassuring to know that others are facing equally challenging times.” What headteachers say about Headspace “I learned how to be a more effective leader and use distributive leadership skills, plus how to prioritise my own wellbeing for the sake of the school as well as myself.” “Headspace is an opportunity to step off the treadmill and to think differently. It gave me the energy and renewed vigour to step back on.” “The Headspace Programme is a hugely valuable part of my first couple of years of headship. It has offered a real support mechanism for the challenging times that I have faced and I feel more equipped to prepare for and face the critical issues in my job.” To find out more: E: info@edsupport.org.uk T: 020 769 72754 “Most valuable for me is how honest everyone is about the bits that go wrong.”