Two education charities that provide training courses to develop future school leaders have announced today they will merge into one organisation.
Teaching Leaders and The Future Leaders Trust (TFLT) will join forces with the aim of operating as one organisation – yet to be named – in six months’ time.
The two charities have more than 18 years’ experience of developing aspiring leaders, and between them, have trained more than 3,500 school leaders.
James Toop, chief executive of Teaching Leaders, will take up the same role at the new organisation.
He said the merger will enable the charities to reach more leaders, adding: “The education landscape is changing fast and school leadership has diversified to include executive heads and academy trust CEOs.
“Headteachers and leaders looking for expert leadership development will now be able to deal with one organisation and we, in turn, will continue providing them with outstanding professional development.”
TFLT has been without a permanent chief executive after Heath Monk stepped down in February, following eight years at the helm.
Baroness Sally Morgan, chair of trustees at TFLT and a trustee at Teaching Leaders, will become the chair designate for the first year of the new organisation.
She said: “Great leaders change lives and this is a decision that will enable both organisations to achieve our mission of ending educational disadvantage faster and more effectively.”
“Our executive teams will be working closely with them in the weeks and months ahead to answer questions, consult on ideas and ensure that business continues as normal.”
The move has since been welcomed by teaching unions. Russell Hobby, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said the alliance has “real potential”.
“A coherent pipeline of leadership development is essential to make the most of the talent we have.”
Malcolm Trobe, interim general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, added: “We fully support their mission to provide the high-quality leaders of the future in the most challenging schools and look forward to working with the new organisation.”
Teaching Leaders focuses on developing outstanding middle leaders and has trained nearly 2,000 teachers in more than 900 schools.
The Future Leaders Trust was set up in 2006 and runs programmes for high-potential aspiring headteachers.
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