Change of headmaster - questions to ask?

[daisyduke]

Hi All - the head at Merchant Taylors is retiring in the summer, so if DS does get a place, he'll have a new headmaster in September. Have some of you lived through a change of head at your schools, if so, what issues should we be concerned about? Are there some searching questions I should be asking about this over the next few weeks? I can see pros and cons... new broom and all that, versus fear of the unknown. Any thoughts? Thanks

[SleepyHead]

Hi Daisyduke,

While I haven't been in this situation, I think I would probably be keen to find out the following

where the headmaster was previously working at (whether he was at a very academic school before),
what his position was at his last school (was he also a headmaster at his previous job or deputy head)
how old he is (if he is likely to stay at this job for a while),
why he left his last school,
whether he still teaches (some headmasters still do teach!)
what his 'vision' is for the new school
whether he made many changes at his last school
how long he was at his last job (shows whether he flits from job to job)
Can't really think of any more, but will post again if I do.

SH

[Sallyltb]

Habs Girls had a new Head in 2011 and it has been nothing but an improvement!

[daisyduke]

Thanks sleepyhead, that's a great list of questions. Sally, fingers crossed they get someone as good!

[Guest55]

As a teacher, I think some of SleepyHead's suggestions are not appropriate.

[SleepyHead]

sorry, please just ask what you feel may be ok. I realise that age etc shouldn't be discussed and date of birth is no longer relevant to CV's when applying for a job. Just a quick list I rattled off whilst preparing dinner

[fairyelephant]

This is the case at South Hampstead as well, and to be honest I can't think what to ask at the moment as the recruitment process is unlikely to be complete by the time offers are made, or accepted, unless I am very much mistaken. You just have to trust in the governing body really. If they do already have someone lined up for the post, surely they would arrange a meeting so that you could see them?!

[Hera]

Sure you have probably already seen this?
http://www.mtsn.org.uk/news/appointment ... ad-master/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SleepyHead]

http://www.mtsn.org.uk/news/appointment" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... ad-master/

having read this.. I would be thoroughly impressed.

[fairyelephant]

Me too!