This month, Columba 1400 reached an important milestone: we have now welcomed 2,000 Head Teachers and Deputy Head Teachers from across Scotland to our Head Teachers’ Leadership Academy (HTLA).

This represents 2,000 leaders who have chosen to step away from the demands of everyday life and invest time in reflection, learning and personal growth. It represents 2,000 people who have made a commitment not only to their own development, but to the young people, team and communities they serve every day.

Sir Tom Hunter, founder of The Hunter Foundation who part-fund the HTLAs said: “Reaching 2,000 Head Teachers and Deputy Head Teachers is a remarkable achievement, but what excites me most is what happens next. Every leader who strengthens their values, confidence and sense of purpose has the potential to positively influence hundreds of young people. That’s an investment in Scotland’s future worth making.“

Màiri McAllan, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, who met some of the HTLA participants recently, said:  “Our school leaders dedicate themselves every day to supporting children and young people. The Columba 1400 Head Teachers’ Leadership Academy gives them a valuable opportunity to invest in themselves, renew their sense of purpose and return to their schools with renewed confidence and clarity. I am delighted that Scottish Government funding has contributed to this important landmark.”

For more than two decades, Columba 1400 has created spaces where educational leaders can pause, reconnect with their values and explore what it means to lead with authenticity, courage and compassion.

The Head Teachers’ Leadership Academy brings together leaders from across Scotland to reflect on both the challenges and privileges of leadership in an environment built on trust, honesty and support. Participants consistently describe the experience as welcoming, thought-provoking and transformational, often proving to be the catalyst that reminds them of why they went into teaching in the first place.

More Than a Leadership Programme – It’s an Experience

Independent evaluations have shown the lasting impact of the HTLA on school leaders. A retrospective evaluation undertaken by the University of Strathclyde found that participants experienced significant and enduring shifts in their beliefs, values and leadership confidence.

Many spoke about reconnecting with their purpose, achieving a better work-life balance and developing leadership behaviours that continued long after the academy ended. The evaluation concluded that the impact on attitudes, beliefs and behaviours remained evident years after participation.

Findings from independent evaluation also show:

  • 96% of graduates reported increased confidence
  • 93% reported increased resilience
  • 94% reported improved leadership abilities
  • 94% rated the experience as very or extremely valuable

One HTLA graduate reflected: “Columba 1400 has been a career changing experience for me. I have been re-inspired to love again the job I was losing my way with.”

Another shared: “I feel braver now, to make difficult decisions and I know this will have a positive impact on my school community. The course has given me a real confidence boost, at a time that it was really needed.”

These reflections echo what we hear time and again. In a profession that can often feel isolating, the opportunity to step back, connect with peers and reflect on leadership can be transformational.

In this short film, Sandra Craig, Head Teacher at Prospect Bank in Edinburgh, explains how the experience has impacted her:

Creating Ripples of Change

The impact of the HTLA extends far beyond individual leaders. Participants report leading with greater calmness and compassion, placing increased importance on relationships and paying more attention to their own wellbeing. Many describe becoming better listeners, making decisions based on their values and creating opportunities for others to lead.

As one Head Teacher explained:

“I now take more time to make decisions through a values-based lens. Sometimes, this means leaning into more challenging conversations, but I feel safe in the knowledge that I am being true to myself as a leader and the community I serve.”

Another graduate reflected on the longer-term impact:

“Columba 1400 has had a profound impact on me and the community I serve. Four years on, I still return to the questions we explored about who I am, how I lead, and what I might yet become. By reflecting on my values and modelling a coaching approach, I’ve seen children and staff step into leadership and drive real change.”

This ripple effect is also reflected in the evaluation evidence. Graduates reported improvements in school performance, staff morale, pupil engagement and parental engagement, demonstrating how leadership development can contribute to stronger school communities.

2,000 Leaders. Thousands More Lives Touched.

Every Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher who has participated in an HTLA represents an entire school community.

Behind every participant are young people whose experiences are shaped by the culture, relationships and opportunities created within their school. As one independent evaluator observed, participants consistently described the HTLA as a mechanism for cultural change within schools and organisations, with values-based leadership, trust, relationships and confidence at its heart.

Marie Clare Tully, Chief Executive of Columba 1400, said:

“This milestone is really about people. It represents 2,000 school leaders who have chosen to invest in their own leadership so that they can better serve the young people, colleagues and communities they care so deeply about. We know that leadership matters. When leaders are supported to reconnect with their values, build their confidence and lead with authenticity, the impact extends far beyond the individual.”

Find out more about our Head Teachers’ Leadership Academies here and join our waiting list here.