GovWire

The FE leadership mentoring programme is part of the active support available to all colleges and designated institutions.

The programme supports existing and aspiring leaders with high potential to develop and progress in their careers as well as assisting them in their current role. It also aims to create a stronger and more diverse pipeline to the most senior roles in further education.

Mentors are fully funded by the Department for Education and there is no cost to colleges. Places are limited and we expect mentees to commit the necessary time to participating.

Eligibility

The programme provides mentors to the following staff in the FE sector:

• chief executives
• principals
• finance directors
• senior leaders and managers

We are encouraging applications from staff with protected characteristics who are underrepresented in college leadership positions. We will prioritise 15% of applicants who have a disability or come from black and ethnic minority communities.

We will prioritise staff who have not been on the FE leadership mentoring programme, before considering multiple applications from staff at a single college.

Support available

FE staff who join the programme will receive up to 18 hours of one-to-one leadership mentoring over a 6-month period.

The timing and duration of each mentoring session will be agreed between the mentor and mentee. We expect that most meetings will take place online, although we recommend that the first session is conducted face to face at the mentees place of work to give the mentor a better understanding of the context in which the mentee is working.

Our mentors

Our leadership mentors are highly skilled, with extensive experience in the FE sector.

They have previously held posts as chief executives, principals and finance directors at FE colleges. They have many years of expertise in:

• leadership
• change management
• curriculum and quality
• business planning
• teaching and learning
• governance

Our mentors with financial expertise have worked on developing and implementing financial strategies and recovery plans and on providing financial leadership for mergers.

How to apply

Complete the online FE leadership mentoring programme application and diversity form.

The application closes on Monday 22 January 2024, at 11.59pm.

Contact us if you have any queries.