A widely-praised programme of tailored support for small schools across the country is returning for a second year – including a free bonus session later this month.
HFL Education’s Small Schools’ Programme won widespread acclaim when it was launched last year for its mix of half-termly bitesize briefings, case studies, discussion groups and free resources designed to help share best practice among schools with fewer than 150 pupils on roll.
Such was the success – including being shortlisted for a prestigious national award and winning a glowing testimonial from the chairman of the National Association of Small Schools – the programme is returning for a second year.
The low-cost programme features four webinar sessions – all of which can be rewatched on demand – covering a range of topics including using AI in small schools, navigating the new Ofsted requirements and headteacher wellbeing.
A bonus free session looking at the benefits and challenges of engaging in Initial Teacher Training is being staged between 3.30-5pm on February 25.
It will include case studies from two headteachers of small schools, who will share their initial considerations and challenges around hosting a training placement, approaches to supporting a trainee within their school, and the subsequent benefits of this work.
Anne Peck, leading the programme from HFL Education said: “We were thrilled with the response to the first year of our Small Schools’ Programme and delighted to be returning with new sessions to address some of the ever-evolving needs of leaders of small schools.
“Designed specifically with and for leaders in small schools, who may have previously felt underserved by the education sector, the programme is a place where they feel they belong and where they can learn from each other.
“Each of the sessions covers a different area each half term. Briefings will cover the main areas for leaders of small schools to consider, followed by case studies delivered by colleagues working in and with small schools.
“The sessions are designed to empower school leaders by providing advice, access to helpful, timely blogs and resources to implement for successful outcomes in their setting.
“If the feedback from our first year is anything to go by – with many leaders telling us how they felt we really understood the unique challenges they face – this should be a programme not to be missed.”
Hannah Trickett, headteacher at Maple Cross JMI and Nursery School in Rickmansworth, praised the programme after taking part in 2024.
She said: “The programme has given us access to a goldmine of information, ideas and best practice on a range of small school challenges – there’s little nuggets in every session.
“The webinars are well structured and punchy. They don’t take too long and I can watch live – which is ideal as you get to participate in the breakout sessions – or on demand at a time to suit me.
“It has given me a lift in so many ways. The HFL Education experts and the schools who share their experiences in the webinars are all really positive about small schools and I feel like I’m not alone on this journey anymore.”
The 2024 programme earned a BETT Award nomination for Leadership and Management Solutions and was endorsed by Neil Short, chairman of the National Association of Small Schools.
He said: “On behalf of the National Association of Small Schools (NASS) I am delighted to recommend the Small Schools Programme devised and developed by HFL. The sessions which I saw were amongst the best specifically devoted to small schools I have ever seen.
“The innovative format, with the subject focus being narrowed by each of the speakers until its development and implementation within the small school by practitioners, provided lessons for all listeners. Indeed, NASS included examples of the first of the sessions in one of our newsletters and passed the word to colleagues whenever possible.
“I am delighted the programme will be continuing into the future and will look forward to learning more about the ways in which small schools can prove their value to the wider world of education.”
The 2025 programme costs £150 per school, which includes all four webinars and access to recordings, which can be shared in staff meetings and with relevant school staff including governors.
Each of the four sessions will take place online on a Wednesday from 3.30-5pm.
For more information and to book a place visit https://hub.hfleducation.org/shop/small-schools-2-2024/
To book a place on the free session in February visit https://hub.hfleducation.org/shop/smallschoolsITT/
The 2024 programme is now also available to buy at https://hub.hfleducation.org/shop/SmallSchoolsProgramme%E2%80%93Series1/ with the full suite of six sessions available for £100+VAT per school.
