Supporting Schools Through Transition

An interim head of school provides several benefits to an independent school during a transitional period, including continuity, Strategic Facilitation, and a fresh perspective. Interims can also help with difficult decisions, recalibrate the school’s vision, and ensure a smoother transition for the next permanent head of school. Put simply, the primary role for an interim head of school is to tee up the permanent head of school for success.

Interim heads can provide several benefits: continuity and momentum, strategic planning and assessment, fresh perspectives, facilitating difficult decisions, enhancing community engagement, assuring that there is a smooth transition to the next head of school, and buying time and space. Interim headships can provide a great buffer zone for the school community, allowing for a period of reflection and planning before a new permanent head is hired. An interim head can extend a new head’s honeymoon by making necessary, difficult decisions and exonerating ghosts that would be damaging for the new head’s early days. Oftentimes, hiring an interim head is not putting the school on hold; rather, the interim is helping a school move forward faster.

Choosing an interim head of school does not have to be a backup plan—it can be the best strategic option for a school in transition. Often, an interim head is a great option after a long tenure of a very successful head of school. This can provide a break between the next head and a formidable predecessor, which can serve to provide a much smoother landing for the new head of school.

Most importantly, even in the face of initial resistance or skepticism about the value of an interim, with careful planning and clear expectations, along with effective communication, an interim year can be very productive in itself, while ensuring a very smooth transition to the next head of school.