Smaller or less financially-viable schools often struggle due to the fact that they cannot attract the level of management expertise and experience necessary to turn around their fortunes.  The top school managers are rarely drawn to schools offering limited curricula with small numbers of students.   As a result, appointments are often made of individuals either lacking the flair necessary to make a difference or with the potential which needs time to develop given access to quality advice in their initial years.  In addition, schools sometimes hit a problem through the sudden departure of a Principal, leaving the school in the hands of inexperienced colleagues.

In either case, it can be prudent to consider a short term input from a highly experienced manager who can quickly identify problems and set in place realistic plans to stabilise the situation and move the school forward.  This can often be combined with grooming a long-term appointment to carry on the process.

Schools Boards or Owners may also want/require to recruit a new Principal but be unsure how best to proceed.  Again, the engagement of an experienced consultant can ensure the best possible appointment.
Head Teacher Locum
To provide up to one month’s ‘in situ’ support to a school and its Acting Head Teacher;
To develop a series of clear, short term objectives for the school;
To provide on-going support at a distance with occasional on-site visits as required;
 
Recruitment of a new Principal
To draw up the job specification for the post;
To determine the advertising process and timescale;
To prepare information pack for all candidates;
To screen initial enquiries to determine a long list for further consideration;
To conduct initial interviews with long-listed candidates to reduce to short list for interview in host country;
To arrange final interview process;
To contribute to the selection process and be available for consultation by candidates;
To complete the process of communicating with successful and unsuccessful candidates following a decision;
To act as mentor to the new Principal for the first year of his/her appointment;