Page 13 - Overview Booklet

Sponsors, Head Sponsors and Advisory Sponsors

A blue skies Sponsor is a successful principal who formally
agrees to ‘Sponsor’ one or more Beginning Principals for the
duration of the programme. A Sponsor agrees to take shared
responsibility for a Beginning Principal’s learning and
professional welfare during the first years of their
principalship. A Sponsor has three interrelated roles. These
are peer mentor, principal coach and professional counsel.
These are explained more fully in another booklet.

Head Sponsors are experienced and successful principals
who are responsible for overseeing a number of Learning
Squares. They are also heavily involved in designing and
developing blue skies. Their role is to facilitate learning and
offer additional support to Sponsors and Beginning
Principals.

Advisory Sponsors are principals who have been involved in
various forms of leadership development throughout their
distinguished careers. They will be involved in all facets of
the programme and are available to offer individual (or
group) support and advice for colleagues facing specific or
urgent issues.

Learning Square
A Learning Square is made up of a Sponsor and up to three
Beginning Principals. We call the relationship a Learning
Square because it encourages ‘four-way’ support for
effective school leadership. That is, the support provided by
the Sponsor for each Beginning Principal and the support
that principals provide each other. It is expected that the
Sponsor will also benefit from the relationship.

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