Preparing for CEO (Code: C0270)

Leadership
Back

The role of a leader in the Further Education sector is a complex, challenging and rewarding one. CEOs and Principals require a range of skills, knowledge and experience to effectively lead institutions that are experiencing continued social, economic and technical change.

This programme is aimed specifically for experienced FE leaders who are looking to step-up to the role of CEO in the next 1-2 years.

Pricing options

£1,000 per delegate

Upcoming

No suitable dates or locations? Please register your interest and we will let you know about new events as they are announced.

Subsidised Places

For Department for Education (DfE) funded courses there is a limited number of places offered to participants fully subsided.  The fully subsidised places are fully funded by the DfE, the participant and / or their provider pay £0. These places are offered to ensure greater diversity on high quality CPD. To qualify the participant must either:​

  • Consider themself to have a disability.​
  • Come from black or minority ethnic community.​
  • Work in an organisation with an annual turnover of less than £500,000.​

Eligible participants can book their place via the booking system. Any questions please contact leadership@etfoundation.co.uk

Who is this for?

Second tier FE leaders who are preparing to step-up to the role of CEO in the next 1-2 years.

As part of the programme all participants will go through a Executive Development Centre to help them reflect on their leadership and management skills prior to attending the course.

This is delivered in partnership with GatenbySanderson, who have been recruiting, assessing and developing senior leaders and leadership teams in the UK public sector for 15 years. The development centre phase will require participants to complete a small amount of online pre-work in advance of attending a feedback meeting with a development coach from GatenbySanderson. This session will be used to explore the feedback from the online exercises and help participants think about their development goals for the forthcoming programme.

 

Training aim

The programme will help those preparing to take on the role of  CEO to be able to articulate purpose and set vision, think strategically and for the long-term, work with a complex set of internal and external stakeholders, develop and lead high performing teams, manage performance with strong commercial acumen, and have a deep commitment to delivering public value.

Outcomes

The programme is a mix of strategic leadership and technical development.

Objectives:

  • To deepen understanding of the FE CEO role and develop a plan for the ‘step up’ into senior leadership  
  • Build understanding of adaptive leadership and the role of the CEO as leader of change
  • Explore the role of culture in setting the conditions for high performance in an educational setting- including the ability to diagnose, improve and sustain culture
  • Develop an understanding of the role of CEO in setting the vision, articulating the purpose and values of their institutions
  • Deepen understanding of the purpose of governance, and the role of the CEO in working with governors 
  • Develop understanding of the CEO as the chief accounting officer and role in strategic finance
  • To finalise individual development plan and next steps in the journey to CEO working in tutor groups
  • To create a sustainable network of support ETF/SBS/Alumni

 

 

Length

The programme includes two core phases:  

  1. GatenbySanderson Development Centre – Autumn 2025 
    Before the residential, participants complete a tailored leadership development process delivered by GatenbySanderson. 
  2. Residential at Saïd Business School- 26th -30th January 2026
    This in-person, week-long residential is delivered at Oxford Saïd Business School. It includes: 
  • Expert-led teaching on strategy, finance, systems leadership and organisational culture  
  • Peer-to-peer learning and facilitated group discussions  
  • Time to step away from day-to-day demands and focus on development and strategic thinking  

Accommodation and meals are included. Travel to Oxford is not covered. Participants are expected to stay for the full duration and to dedicate their full attention to the programme.  

 

 

Entry Requirements

This course is only open to experienced senior leaders in the Further Education (FE) and Skills sector who have been invited to book on by ETF. Applications for this cohort are now closed. If you would like to register your interest for the next cohort please do so here.

 

 

 

 

Contact us

If this course is not currently available at a suitable date/location, please register your interest and we will let you know about new events as they are announced.

If you have any questions, please contact:

T: 0800 0 831 830
E: enquiries@etfoundation.co.uk