What advice would you give your younger self as a new education leader? Here, ASCL members share their insights for those just starting out.

Words of wisdom

Lessons in leadership: What to do – and what to avoid 

I have discovered during my career you can learn just as much (if not more) about how not to lead than how to lead from the heads you work for. Having said that, these three pieces of advice from heads have stuck with me throughout my career: 

1. Never say yes in a corridor. 
2. Sometimes doing nothing is a positive course of action. 
3. Always stay firmly in touch with your inner Year 10. 

Lindsey Hughes
Headmistress, Channing School 

Stay grounded: Practical wisdom for sustainable leadership 

Smile: even when you don't feel like it. Staff and students are looking to you for the character of the school/college. 
Choose your battles: some things that happen may frustrate or challenge you – not all of them should be dealt with. You don't have the time and also sometimes the ramifications can make a very small thing become so much bigger and potentially unmanageable, so much so you would wish you hadn't tackled it in the first place. 
Don't be 'bounced' into making a decision: everyone will be keen to speak with you when you first start your new job. A favourite phrase of mine is, "I'll get back to you." You can check to see if a decision on an issue has already been made, and then you are not inadvertently going against a decision made by someone else. 
Ringfence time for you: whether it's not looking at your emails after 7pm or not looking at 'work' on a Saturday – build in self-preservation. 

Staff and students need you to be your best self. You can't do this if you are burning the candle at both ends. 

Justine Barlow
Principal, Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College 

Lead with authenticity and connection 

There is much written about being a great leader; lots of it is useful and can be a good springboard to shape you into the leader you desire to be. However, the best leaders I have worked with are authentic leaders, not trying to be someone else or doing things because they 'should be done'. As a new headteacher, I spent time walking around school getting to know the students, staff and families in our community. Connection is so powerful and can make a real difference to those you are leading. Be visible, smile and show you care. 

Melissa George
Headteacher, St Gregory's Catholic College 

Lead with heart, stay true to yourself Smile. 

Listen. Show humility. Think carefully about how you're going to build positive relationships quickly so that you create trust and credibility with your school community. Everything will be easier if people want to follow your direction. 

Hold on to what matters to you and don't be swayed because your views and values might be different to those more experienced than you. Remember that you're making a difference to young people's lives every day. 

And, most importantly, believe in yourself, even on the inevitable difficult days. If you've been given the role then those appointing you think you're capable of leading successfully, so prove that you are. 

Kate Claydon
Headteacher, Blatchington Mill School 

Anchored in authentic leadership 

Occasionally, you might feel 'at sea', becoming distracted when the urgent pushes out the important or when something shimmering catches your gaze and pulls you away from priorities. 

Authenticity is your anchor. Lead with honesty, integrity, courage, and compassion. Remember that our responsibility is to our students (not the system). Be true to yourself and your values. 

Leadership is not 'an albatross around one's neck'; it is a privilege to be able to serve and captain within this great profession. Fair winds and following seas. 

Helen Wakefield
Senior Deputy Headteacher, LiFE Multi Academy Trust

Designed with IMPACT

© 2025 Association of School and College Leaders | Valid XHTML | Contact us