The Small Schools' Programme returns for 2025-26 and comprises of a series of half termly briefings, discussion groups and additional resources, focused on the unique challenges and opportunities experienced by small schools. The sessions will be facilitated by our experienced team of advisers and our speakers will be hand-picked for their innovative and successful approaches to leading a small school.
The first series was very well received, earning a BETT Award nomination for Leadership and Management Solutions for 2025 and an endorsement from Neil Short, Chairman of the National Association of Small Schools.
'On behalf of the National Association of Small Schools (NASS) I am delighted to recommend the Small Schools Programme devised and developed by HFL. The sessions which I saw were amongst the best specifically devoted to small schools I have ever seen. The innovative format, with the subject focus being narrowed by each of the speaker until its development and implementation within the small school by practitioners, provided lessons for all listeners. Indeed NASS included examples of the first of the sessions in one of our Newsletters and passed the word to colleagues whenever possible..
I am delighted the programme will be continuing into the future and will look forward to learning more about the ways in which small schools can prove their value to the wider world of education.'
Building on the success of our first two series of the programme, we are delighted to announce the third instalment of the HFL Small Schools’ Programme.
What are the aims of the Small Schools' Programme?
Leaders of small schools face unique challenges and opportunities. Whilst leadership in a small school can sometimes feel like navigating turbulent waters, the context of a small school also offers leaders the opportunity to be agile and adaptable. In dialogue with small schools, we have developed a programme that provides the opportunity for leaders to meet and share their experience of these challenges and opportunities as well as to explore the hot topics in education through the lens of a small school.
Returning in September 2025, our programme of bite-sized inputs and follow-up discussion groups is designed to meet the ever-evolving needs of leaders of small schools. The sessions will include case studies shared by those at the chalkface and time to explore the thought processes and decisions made, helping leaders of small schools to manage the challenges of their context and make the most of opportunities.
What is included in the Small Schools' Programme?
Our innovative, low cost, school informed programme comprises of six sessions covering a range of topics including managing parental complaints and staff grievances and excellence in provision for pupils with a SEND. We begin the next programme with a focus on headteacher wellbeing - something we know lots of leaders in small schools leave to the bottom of their ‘to do’ list
In addition to the live online sessions, all the information, recordings and resources will be available to those who book on the programme on the HFL Hub.
What are the benefits of participating in the Small Schools' Programme?
With a different area in focus each half term, briefings will cover the main areas for leaders of small schools to consider, followed by case studies delivered by colleagues working in and with small schools. The sessions are designed to empower school leaders by providing advice, access to helpful, timely blogs and resources to implement for successful outcomes in their setting.
Schools who bought the first programme, but didn’t attend the second, will be given access to all recordings from programme 2.0 if they book onto programme 3.0. Once they have placed an order, they can email events@hfleducation.org to request access.
Small Schools' Programme delivery
The sessions will take place on Thursdays from 3:30pm to 5pm.
There will be six sessions in the programme for 2025-2026. The topics planned are as follows:
Session 1: 25th September 2025 - Thriving not surviving - nurturing headteacher wellbeing as the leader of a smaller school
Session 2: 13th November 2025 - Managing parental complaints
Session 3: 15th January 2026 - Addressing the ongoing challenge of curriculum construction in a smaller school
Session 4: 19th March 2026 - The new Ofsted framework and your small school
Session 5: 21st May 2026 - Managing staff grievances
Session 6: 9th July 2026 - Excellence in provision for pupils with SEND in a smaller school
Participation costs
The programme costs £206* per school, which includes all six webinars and access to recordings. Schools can book up to seven licenses for their staff when they purchase the programme.
For further information or queries, please contact the HFL Events team at training@hfleducation.org or call 01438 544477.
*prices are excluding VAT
Find out more
Dr James Inglis, headteacher at Northaw CE Primary School shares a video testimonial about how the school benefited from the programme which is available below
Read about the Small Schools' Programme in the press:
Education Business: Small Schools' Programme returns for a second year
QA Education: HFL Education’s highly-praised Small Schools’ Programme returns for 2025
Small Schools' Programme - series 1 available to purchase
The first series of the HFL Small Schools’ Programme took place between February 2024 and November 2024, with 6 sessions in total. The live sessions have now concluded for this series, however if schools interested in the content and materials, these remain available to purchase. They are packed full of helpful guidance, case studies and suggestions for schools to consider. As well as session recordings, you will also be able to access the slides and any other supporting resources.
The full suite of recordings and supporting materials for series 1 can be purchased for a reduced cost of £100 +VAT per school.
Session content from Series 1 of HFL Small Schools’ Programme:
• Session 1 - Leading the curriculum in a small school
• Session 2 - Delivering the curriculum: pedagogy when teaching mixed ages
• Session 3 - Ambitious, inspirational and strategic governance in small schools
• Session 4 - Designing leadership models for long term exceptional outcomes
• Session 5 - Disadvantaged pupils: a small school’s perspective
• Session 6 - Creating a staff community where all feel empowered and valued
If you have any questions, or would like any support with purchasing this, please contact us: events@hfleducation.org
I was interested to sign up for a place on the Small Schools Programme as it is difficult to find training that specifically addresses our schools' needs. The flexibility of the sessions being accessed live and/or recorded worked well for me but I tried to attend most of them live. I was able to share parts of the recordings with key members of staff. The structure and pace of the sessions were well organised - my favourite parts were hearing first-hand from serving heads and leadership teams about their experience. I have taken much of their advice and used many of their tips.
S Bridgman, Executive Headteacher, Thundridge and Ponsbourne Primary Schools
Dr James Inglis, Headteacher at Northaw CE Primary School, talks about how the school has benefited from the HFL Small Schools' Programme.
