The programme has been developed in response to a report, Taking the Wide View, which claims headteachers need more professional support if they are to make extended schools work.
The report is based on comments made by heads of extended schools at six NCSL seminars held earlier this year. It says, 'While school leaders find the potential of their extended schools exciting, they are struggling to adapt and find their own pathways through the different possibilities.'
In particular, the report finds headteachers are 'struggling to relinquish control and let go'. One school leader commented, 'While headteachers are used to being involved in everything all the time, in the case of extended schools, if you're doing it well, most of the time you won't be there.'
The report concludes that there is 'a need for bespoke leadership development' to help headteachers meet new challenges.
Maggie Farrar, assistant director of programmes at NCSL, said, 'The move towards extended schooling is very complex and it is crucial that headteachers get plenty of support. Our new extended school leadership programme will directly address this.
'NCSL will hold a series of challenge workshops to bring extended school leaders together with other leaders from health, social care, and the voluntary and community sectors.
'The workshops will have 40 or 50 participants and they will offer practical insights and advice. Accounts of good practice and knowledge will be made available for everyone to access through the NCSL website.'
The NCSL is also developing an new module for January on extended school leadership as part of its National Professional Qualification of Headship.
More information is available on ww.ncsl.org.uk. The report can be downloaded at www.demos. co.uk/projects/currentprojects/ takingthewideview.