A KEY training programme for experienced headteachers faces a major overhaul after a review found there was no proof it was leading to improved pupil results.

The review of the Leadership Programme for Serving Headteachers (LPSH) is the most critical of four reports published today by the National College for School Leadership.

The reports set out the college’s blueprint for the future of school leadership development and training. Proposals include a new training programme for middle managers, more money for inducting new heads, quality assurance of training providers, the development of a new cadre of experienced and innovative “consultant” heads to help train and support their successors, and masterclasses led by senior figures such as Mike Tomlinson, the chief inspector, and BBC director general Greg Dyke.

There is also a clearer focus on improving leadership in order to raise pupil attainment, said chief executive Heather du Quesnay.

Meanwhile, previously unpublished Office for Standards in Education evidence suggests that a fifth of education authorities are not supporting their new heads very well, with a third doing a good job. Just over half of new heads rated the quality of their induction support satisfactory or better.

Candidates on the new Headteachers’ Induction Programme would get pound;3,000 over three years to spend on training instead of the current pound;2,500 over two years, and the support of an experienced mentor head for a year.

David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, was generally supportive of the college’s framework, but warned that by taking over the whole of professional development for school leaders, it could create a too centralised set-up leading to prescription and bureaucracy.

He also noted the good feedback that LPSH gets from participants, and suggested more credit should be given for its successes.

A new system of “consultant” leaders is suggested by the framework. It says it should be open to heads with a proven track record of success “such as those who have led beacon schools, specialist and advanced specialist schools”.

This was not meant to exclude the heads of “bog-standard” comprehensives, said Ms du Quesnay.

She said the college was looking for innovative leaders who have successfully managed change, regardless of school status.

* For more details of the consultations, which close on January 10, see www.ncsl.org.uk or telephone 08701 601 604.