Rockpools helps Fortismere community school recruit dynamic head ready to rise to the challenge
Fortismere is a large, successful community school in North London. The school’s governing body engaged Rockpools to assist in the recruitment of a new headteacher. The position had become vacant on the retirement of the previous, long-serving head and, despite two advertisements, had not attracted candidates of a high enough calibre who were ready to take on the challenge of a large London school. The school was concerned that the students would begin to suffer and staff become demotivated if a permanent head could not be found.
The Rockpools team spent time talking to, and gathering information from, members of the school’s governing body to help develop an understanding of their needs and the specific issues relating to the school. The team were conscious that as a state school, funding for the recruitment would be from public money, and were keen to identify the most cost-effective recruitment options available. It was therefore decided not to re-advertise: Rockpools conducted the search for suitable candidates based on our extensive network of senior teachers and related education professionals.
The chair of governors said she was impressed at our consultants’ knowledge and experience of the headteacher recruitment market, which according to her, was superior to that of other consultants they had used previously. The process produced several high-quality candidates and the Rockpools team prepared detailed reports on each of these to inform members of the governing body in their final shortlisting. Three of the candidates were subsequently selected for technical assessment, after which the team produced further detailed reports on their ability and performance.
Two candidates were selected for the final interview. Both candidates were considered extremely capable and appointable by members of the interview panel. However, one had the exceptional qualities they were looking for, and his experience, leadership skills and enthusiasm for the challenge ahead led the governing body to appoint him.
Jane Farrell, the Chair of Governors for Fortismere School; said: "I do not believe we would have found a Head who matched our requirements, and identified with the ethos and character of the school, so well without Rockpools' assistance. At all times they were totally professional, giving sound advice to Governors and dealing sensitively with candidates. Their knowledge of the education market-place proved invaluable to Governors at a time when many schools are finding it difficult to appoint permanent Heads. I have no hesitation in recommending them to other school governing bodies."
