Succession planning should be a crucial item on any governing body's agenda in the next few years, given the looming crisis in headteacher recruitment. This film looks at two schools where governors are convinced of the necessity of succession planning after finding it difficult to recruit a new head. At Westfield Community Technology College, chair of governors Chris Miller and vice-chair Paul Rosen were taken aback when they heard - on the last day of the summer term - that the head teacher was taking early retirement. They were also unprepared for the work entailed in the appointment process, particularly since they didn't appoint first time round. At Sayes Court Junior School in Surrey, chair of governors Doris Neville-Davies describes how circumstances meant that the governors were initially unable to appoint a substantive head. The film explores how governors at both schools are now identifying and nurturing leadership potential in senior and middle management.

Video Series: Just for Governors
Release Date 2007