Welcome to the NAVSH new to role programme for 2024/25
Are you a new Virtual School Head?

NAVSH has a ‘new to role’ training programme to support you.
This includes:

• Monthly video conferences
• Online learning and resources
• Coaching

New to Role Sessions

Free Coaching Offer for new VSH's

As part of our commitment to members and to the VSH profession, NAVSH offers up to 6 sessions (or 12 hours) of free coaching support for new VSHs. This offer is available to anyone who has become a Virtual School Head within the last two years, including those in interim or temporary posts.

Sessions are entirely confidential and delivered by an experienced, qualified, and empathetic coach with many years’ experience as a VSH. Most sessions take place online and are scheduled around the individual needs of each new VSH. Where geography allows, face-to-face meetings may also be possible. Many new VSHs choose one session per term or half-term, but this is flexible.

The coach will help you to set goals, reflect on challenges, and explore ways forward. Self-assessment is encouraged, and detailed confidential written notes are provided after each session.

This coaching programme is part of the New VSH programme from NAVSH and comes highly recommended by past participants.

Feedback from past participants:

“Thank you for all your useful and encouraging support; you have made a huge difference to me as a new-to-role VSH. I am very grateful.” (New VSH)

“Thank you so much — really helpful notes and discussion last week, which helped me feel less overwhelmed and able to re-focus on priorities.” (New VSH)

“Thank you so much for your support. It has been an amazingly productive and useful process for me and a pleasure to work with you. Your guidance and reflective support are hugely valued.” (New VSH, now Head of Service)

“Thank you, Rachael, for all the coaching and guidance you have offered me throughout my first year in headship. I have really benefitted from the personalised approach and from being able to discuss anything and everything in a safe environment. It has supported me to reflect on both the operational and strategic developments within our Virtual School, and also to think about myself as a professional and leader, taking the time to get it right for me and my team.” (New VSH)

“I enjoyed the time working with you. It has been useful to have the opportunity to reflect and talk to someone who understands Virtual Schools and can challenge thinking. You are a great coach! I will certainly keep your next-step suggestions in mind.” (Executive VSH)

Places are limited, so please get in touch to find out more.

For more details of the NAVSH free coaching support offer for VSHs, please contact:
Dr Rachael Pryor
rachael.pryor@navsh.org.uk