Headteachers from six schools serving students in areas with high levels of deprivation are set to participate in a new partnership between the London and International Insurance Brokers’ Association (LIIBA) and the education non-profit organisation Inspiration for All.
The initiative will see school leaders matched with senior professionals from LIIBA member firms for a 9-month peer-mentoring programme aimed at supporting leadership development. The partnership was formally launched on March 4 at an event held at LIIBA’s offices.
Under the partnership, the first cohort includes six school leaders from London and Essex, with a second group planned to join the programme in June.
LIIBA confirmed that the first group of mentors includes LIIBA chair and Howden Group Placement chair Andy Bragoli, LIIBA chief executive Christopher Croft (pictured above), LIIBA executive director Jacqueline Girow, Lockton partner and head of global real estate & construction Mark Rose, Lockton partner and director and LIIBA board member Paul Jack, and WTW general counsel for risk & broking Shirley Girling.
LIIBA has noted that the initiative is designed to enhance leadership capabilities, foster broader perspectives for both mentors and mentees, and contribute to efforts to improve social mobility in disadvantaged communities.
Headteachers serving students in areas with high levels of deprivation in the UK face unique challenges but also play pivotal roles in supporting their communities. In England, schools serving more deprived pupils have experienced larger funding cuts over the last decade, leaving them less equipped to address challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A report by Audit Scotland also reveals that more than a third of Scottish pupils have additional support needs, with the poorest areas seeing nearly double the rate of the wealthiest areas. Since 2004, there has been an eightfold increase in the number of pupils requiring additional support, now constituting 40% of all Scottish pupils.
Headteachers in deprived areas often extend their roles beyond traditional educational leadership, acting as "community connectors." They coordinate services such as food banks, parenting support, and health and social care referrals to address local disadvantages.
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