Mentoring

At Steed Education, we are dedicated to empowering school leaders through tailored mentoring programs. Our experienced mentors possess a deep understanding of the educational landscape and the unique challenges faced by school leaders. Our approach is built on trust, open communication, and support for your personal and professional growth.

Part of the mentoring process is to be a listening ear, providing a safe space to off-load to someone who understands what it is like to sit in the Head’s chair.

We focus on developing essential leadership skills, strategic decision-making, and fostering a positive school culture. Our mentors share valuable insights, best practices, and innovative solutions to help you navigate the complexities of educational leadership.

At Steed Education, we provide the on-going mentoring, training and practical support to help school leaders to make the transition from Headteacher to Principal-CEO.

School Leaders increasingly are expected to have a diverse skill-set which goes beyond the traditional academic responsibilities of driving school improvment, appointing staff and taking assemblies.

Today the role has evolved so that the Head/ Prinicpal is the CEO of a multi-million pound turnover businesses with hundreds of employees. In addition, they are expected to lead multi-million pound development projects, such as setting up an overseas franchise negotiating a merger with a local school.

School Leaders, Heads and Principals are expected to know a range of business knowledge and skills, which their career to date has not taught them.

Practical Support

At Steed Education, our mentoring programme can provide on-going practical support to school leaders. This might take the form of supporting a Headteacher by working through the papers and accounts for a finance committee meeting; talking through how to work with a school owner or to manage support staff heads of department; or helping translate your ideas and vision into a full strategic plan for the school.

Training

At Steed Education, we provide personalised training to school leaders in the business, commercial and financial aspects of running a school. Topics that can be covered include:

• Accounts, Finance and Budgets

• Strategic and Development Planning

• Competitor Analysis

• Marketing Strategy and Reputational Management

• IT Governance

• Talent Management and Appraisal

• Working with Boards

• School Mergers and Overseas Franchises

Why Steed Education?

Mark Steed has 22 years’ experience as a Headteacher in four very different schools: ranging from a small boarding school in Devon which faced challenging financial pressures; to a large, very well financed  6-month to18 day school north of London with a day nursery, three preps, separate girls’ and boys’ schools and a co-ed sixth form  as part of the Group.

He has significant leadership and business management experience internationally.  In the Middle East  I was the CEO of the leading GCSE-IB Diploma in the region; and in Hong Kong,  I took the helm at one of the most academic British international schools in the world. Along the way, I have worked with a range of Chairs and School Boards, including an all-parent Board.

This varied career means that he has a good understanding of the challenges facing school leaders in different contexts, regulatory frameworks and at different stages of their professional careers.

Testimonial

Navigating the complex terrain of school leadership can be challenging, and Mark Steed is an invaluable guide, standing head and shoulders above the competition in terms of his experience of leading high-performing schools across the world. Mark's unique perspective on school leadership, expertly bringing together strategic planning, financial management, human resource development and academic leadership, means that the support he provides is practical and tailored to the complexities of managing and leading schools.

I have personally benefited from Mark's mentoring over the years and it is no surprise that many of us who have worked for Mark, and been mentored by him, have gone on to senior posts including a large number of headships. l also know that a number of serving Heads tap into Mark's experience, showing that the mentoring provided is a phenomenal resource for both aspiring and seasoned educational leaders alike. If you are serious about education and wish to elevate your leadership skills and make a lasting positive impact on your educational community, Mark should be your first port of call.

Dr Nick Dennis