Product reviews for Making The Leap

Making the decision to apply for headship was by far the most difficult decision I have faced in my career to date. 

My role as deputy head was a dream job. I loved it, felt fulfilled by it, and had long expressed the sentiment that I never wanted to be a head teacher as I loved working directly with the children too much. But when our head announced her retirement I found myself facing a huge dilemma. Did I really want to stay in my current role for the rest of my career (at least another decade!)? Would I be as happy working for another head teacher? Could I be anything like as successful as our outgoing head? Did others think I was up to the role? I certainly faced some pressure from those around me to consider applying for the role, but were they right in their estimation of me? Could I do the job? Could I even handle the appointment process? I had many sleepless nights with such thoughts thrashing about in my mind, and my poor family and friends had many hours of counselling me. 

As I began reading Making the Leap, I found myself wishing I had had the erudite advice of Jill Berry to guide my thinking and help give me some perspective on these issues a year ago when I was making my decision. Jill's narrative shows enormous empathy and understanding, and reflects absolutely what I was going through during this time in my career transition. The questions for reflection provide just the sort of focus I needed when making the decision to apply for headship.

Although I missed out on this sage guidance during that stage of the process, I have read this book at a time when it is just as valuable to me. Having applied and been appointed, I have been head-elect for nearly 9 months now, with my start date looming. I relate absolutely to the poem -˜The Leader' that Jill refers to about what on earth to do next! I have definitely experienced the opportunities and challenges Jill describes in the lead-in period, which has been wonderful and difficult simultaneously. It helps so much to know that what I have gone through, and am about to go through, is absolutely normal and I am not as alone in things as I sometimes feel! The advice about recognising and acknowledging the significant differences between the roles of deputy and head is food for thought. The experiences and contemplations of Jill and her research participants are without doubt benefitting me as I embark on this crucial next stage in the transition. I will be holding some of these thoughts in my head as the new term begins!

Jill's intelligent reflection, advice, recommendations and counsel, all grounded in research as well as extensive experience, have served as an enormous boon to me at a point when I really need it! I would recommend this as a very helpful read to anyone who is even remotely considering the next step in their career. 



Thank you, Jill!