The impact of the Leadership Legacy Project

As we launch our next cohort and celebrate ten years of the programme, it has been wonderful to hear from some of our Leadership Legacy Project alumni.

We have had the privilege to work with 1399 talented early year career teachers over the course of project to date. We are delighted to share some of their reflections both on what the project meant to them and on what they have done since. We asked our alumni to reflect on:

• Their career progression journey and how the Leadership Legacy Project supported this.
• Lessons or tips that they would like to pass on to the next generation of school leaders.
• What are the most rewarding aspects of school leadership to them.

And here’s what they had to say:

“Taking part in the SSAT Leadership Legacy Project was a significant step in my leadership journey. It provided me with the opportunity to lead a whole school initiative that was underpinned by educational research and focused on raising aspirations through STEAM and careers education. The project allowed me to develop my confidence in leading change, working collaboratively with colleagues and evaluating impact. This experience became a valuable stepping stone, helping me to take on further leadership responsibilities, including my current role as a Phase Leader.

One piece of advice I would give to aspiring school leaders is to be willing to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace opportunities that challenge you. Leadership is not about having all the answers; it is about being reflective, listening to others and being committed to continual improvement. Grounding decisions in research and evidence can give you the confidence to lead meaningful change.

The most rewarding aspect of school leadership is seeing the positive impact your work has on both children and colleagues. Whether it is supporting staff development, improving teaching and learning, or creating opportunities that inspire children, there is a real sense of fulfilment in knowing that your work contributes to making a lasting difference.”

Karina Khan, Gatley Primary School, 2023-24 Cohort

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“I was delighted to be selected as a ‘Future Leader’ by my school early in my career. It was extremely rewarding to have my skills recognised at such an early stage, and it played a significant role in accelerating my professional development. The SSAT Leadership Legacy programme was an invaluable experience; as a teacher working in SEND, opportunities to visit other schools and learn from outstanding settings are not always readily available.

As part of the programme, I had the opportunity to visit an outstanding mainstream school in Manchester, as well as a highly regarded special school in the North East. Spending time with senior leaders provided a genuine insight into the day-to-day challenges they face and the strategic decisions they make.

Since completing the programme, I have gone on to study the NPQ in Leading Teaching, successfully undertaken a TLR role, and more recently secured a position as an Assistant Headteacher. I can confidently say that the Leadership Legacy programme has played an important role in shaping my career progression over the past ten years.”

Dominic Durkin, Catcote Academy , 2021-22 Cohort

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“The Leadership Legacy Project has had a very positive impact on my career progression. It provided me with valuable opportunities to develop my leadership skills, build my confidence, which I am still working on, and connect with like-minded professionals across a wider network. The experience helped to shape my approach to leadership and encouraged me to take on new responsibilities within my school and beyond.

I greatly valued the support we received from the shadow school; the headteacher was incredibly inspiring and encouraged me to take the next step in my career.

One of the most important lessons I have learnt is the value of collaboration and listening to others. Effective leadership is rooted in strong relationships, clear communication, and a willingness to learn from both successes and challenges. I would encourage future leaders to remain resilient, stay focused on their purpose, and always keep the needs and voices of their learners at the heart of their work.

The most rewarding aspect of school leadership is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in young people’s lives. Seeing learners grow in confidence, achieve their goals, and feel supported within their school community is incredibly fulfilling. Knowing that our work contributes to creating a positive, inclusive, and inspiring environment for both learners and colleagues makes leadership a truly rewarding journey.

I thoroughly enjoyed the course and have since supported colleagues currently undertaking it, as well as recommending it to others within our academy.”

Sheran Kaur, Ninestiles, An Academy, 2023-24 Cohort

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“The most rewarding part of my leadership role and project is seeing the long-term improvements in students’ attitudes towards physical activity which has been achieved through including pupil voice in my planning. My piece of advice to the next generation of school leaders is to develop programmes that encourage participation and engagement from all ability levels in your subject and ensure equal contribution from both staff and students to create a well-rounded initiative.”

Rhian Lewis, Torquay Academy, 2024-25 Cohort

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The SSAT Leadership Legacy Project significantly supported my career progression by building my confidence both inside and outside the classroom. It helped me to identify the kind of leader I aspire to be and equipped me with the skills and self-awareness needed to begin that journey with clarity and purpose.

One key lesson I would share with the next generation of school leaders is that your voice and your ideas are important – but their impact depends on the strength of the team around you. Even the best ideas cannot succeed without a supportive and committed team to bring them to life.

A leader is only as effective as the people they work with, so investing time in building a strong, positive and reliable team is essential. Creating a culture of trust, collaboration and shared purpose will be one of the most valuable and lasting investments you can make as a leader.

For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of school leadership is seeing the impact of the decisions you make. While the effects of your work are not always immediate, there is real satisfaction in listening to feedback, reflecting on practice, and making adjustments that improve processes and outcomes on a larger scale.

I also find it incredibly rewarding to watch members of your team grow in confidence and ambition. Supporting others to develop, take on new challenges, and realise their potential is a powerful and lasting part of leadership.

Miss R Ceato, Kennet School, 2023-24 cohort

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“I was part of the Leadership Legacy project in 2019-20. The most memorable part of it was our visit to Bingley Grammar School. Both [the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher] were incredibly generous with their time. My dream was to be in charge of teaching and learning one day, and they gave me so much insight and advice, both about T&L/CPD as well as about being a woman in leadership. Fast forward a few years, and I am still at Allerton High School [as] Assistant Headteacher in charge of T&L. The programme gave us our first taste of leadership, instilled confidence, ambition and drive – thank you!”

Caoimhe Lethebee, Allerton High School, 2019-20 Cohort

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