The First 100 Days in Catholic Headship
In April 2002, I took up my first headship in a Catholic state secondary school. I don’t remember too much about my preparation, expect that most of it wasn’t much help at all. There’s only so much reading you can do before you join your new school, the outgoing headteacher may or may not be helpful, the orientation visits may have worked or not. There’s really no substitute for that first day you walk through that door, as the headteacher.
Remember to breathe. Try 7/11 breathing. Inhale for a count of 7, exhale for a count of 11. Develop your self-talk, but not so much out loud! So many of the headteachers I’ve met over the years have admitted to ‘imposter syndrome’, that feeling that you of all people don’t belong in such an important job. Remember this: you didn’t appoint yourself, a whole group of people believed in you enough to appoint you to this role. So leave the ‘impostor’ in the recycling bin, walk through that door as if you should be there and get started. You’ve Got This.
It helps, I think, to have a ‘mental map’, some framework to work to in those first few weeks and months. The 100 days marker seems to have originated with Franklin D. Roosevelt, the American President who led his county out of the Great Depression with the New Deal. It’s become a line in the sand, a moment to evaluate leadership, but don’t get hung up on the number. Just think about what might be good to do in your first few months.
Here are my top ten tips. I’m indebted to Sir David Carter who wrote, “The First 100 Days of a CEO”, an essay you can find in his excellent book, Leading Academy Trusts: why some fail but most don’t (John Catt Educational Limited, 2020). I’ve adapted David’s ideas and added my own for Catholic headship.
1. Spend time with the pupils, especially the quiet ones, the disadvantaged. Ask them what it’s like in this school? What do you enjoy? When do you not feel safe? You will obviously be attentive to any immediate fixes with regards to safeguarding. I used to say, be visible. Now I prefer to say, be present. Pope Francis urges us to be experts in the art of encounter.
2. Spend time with the staff, all the staff. Perhaps have a fortnightly staff roundtable with an emphasis on listening to what they have to tell you. What’s the temperature, the ethos? In staff meetings, begin with Open Forum, what’s gone well (www) this week, what would be even better (ebi)? But be prepared for the answers, all the answers! Get to know the systems of the school. Is it in good shape?
3. Work with senior leaders. What’s the best approach to frequency of one-to-ones, SLT meetings and briefings? How are agendas set and actions followed through? Consider making time for meetings conducted using the “Conversation in the Spirit” method of the Synod. For more information on this transformative practice, visit: https://www.schoolforsynodality.org.uk/our-resources/conversations-in-the-spirit-a-how-to-guide
4. Gather the parents together in a “Meet the New Headteacher” session, as many do, but also find out who the parents are who are never seen in school. How can you reach them? Or rather, how can they reach you? What is their perception of the school?
5. Get to know your governors. You may have met some of them at the “death by vol-au-vent” reception for all the candidates during the interview process, now start to form relationships, beginning with the Chair. Make sure expectations are clear and the divisions understood between the operational and strategic. Try and book in regular time with the Chair. Are good arrangements in place for your appraisal?
6. Develop a clear communication plan. How do you want to talk to the parents, the staff, the pupils? A weekly newsletter, social media, short films? It’s a good way to get yourself and your values across, even before you have drawn up any plans.
7. Get to know the world beyond the school, especially if you are new to the area. Meet the local parish or deanery priests. Ask to meet the bishop, the diocesan officers. Begin to meet the local community, local shopkeepers, residents, the MP and councillors. This all takes time, so take your time.
8. Initiate a review of the school’s Vision, Values and Mission. I don’t think schools do this nearly often enough. The understanding of purpose should deepen every time it’s engaged with properly. I’d do this before embarking on any re-setting of objectives or re-writing of policies (unless an emergency fix is required). The WHY in a Catholic school is the foundation, the driver for everything else. Is the vision part of God’s vision for humanity, are Gospel values at the heart of the Catholic Life and Mission of the School? Strategic plans will follow.
9. Look after yourself. Headship is a hard job. It’s hugely rewarding, but it’s not always easy, no-one should pretend otherwise. Be intentional about your diary, leave gaps, try not to go into school every Saturday. Hold on to your life, your ‘hinterland’, everything that brings you joy and if you live with people, or have your own children, make sure you’re seeing enough of them, and they’re not seeing only a diminished version of you. It’s too easy to drift into over-work, anxiety and bad temper.
10. Attend to your spiritual life. Catholic headship is a lay ministry, an apostolate, a calling if you like. It is for people of faith, who are called to give prophetic witness to the Gospel. Your faith needs to be nourished and sustained. Looking back on my headships, there were times when my prayer life disappeared. It’s easy to get caught up in the hectic schedule and before you know it, Friday evening has come around again. Try and make time for prayer, for the sacraments, for reflection. Self-awareness is key not just to the spiritual life, but also to effective leadership. One of the most popular prayer apps, one I use frequently, is Pray as you go, by the Jesuits. You can have a look here: https://pray-as-you-go.org/
There may be ten tips here, but they are certainly not set in tablets of stone. These are my reflections, based on my experience of more than one headship role. It might be a helpful starting point for you. A final tip is to keep a journal. It’s a good habit to get into. Record your thoughts about your first 100 days, your first year. Work on self-awareness. What are you learning? What is shifting in you? What do you need to work on, or work less on?
If you’re in this position this September, I wish you every blessing. I’d be happy to hear from you if you want to get in touch and share your own reflections, or ask for advice, You can contact me through the website at: https://www.raymondfriel.com/contact
For more of my reflections on leadership in a Catholic school, you might want to have a look at some of my books, which you can find at: https://www.rpbooks.co.uk