The Scottish Government has announced a significant funding boost of £395,000 for the Head Teachers' Leadership Academies (HTLA), operated by Columba 1400. This investment aims to further develop leadership skills among school heads, improve job satisfaction, and ultimately benefit pupils and staff nationwide. The funding will be matched by the Hunter Foundation.
This latest contribution brings the total Scottish Government support for the HTLA programme to £790,000 since the 2025-26 period. The current funding is projected to assist up to 280 school leaders in honing their leadership capabilities in the coming year. An independent evaluation of the academies revealed that over 2,000 headteachers and school leaders have already benefited, reporting enhanced confidence, resilience, and improved leadership abilities.
Education Secretary Màiri McAllan highlighted the importance of this continued support, stating, “Our support for Columba 1400’s leadership academies will ensure even more school leaders feel empowered to deliver excellence and equity in education, providing the opportunity to develop knowledge, confidence and skills.” She added that graduates have provided “glowing feedback on the transformative experience” and that the programme's success is reflected in rising attainment and a narrowing of the poverty-related attainment gap.
Sir Tom Hunter of the Hunter Foundation, a long-time supporter of the academy, commented, “We know that leadership matters. We're delighted that the Scottish Government has renewed its commitment to this partnership. If we want the best outcomes for Scotland's young people, we need to invest in the people who lead our schools.”
Marie Clare Tully, Chief Executive of Columba 1400, expressed her delight at the renewed commitment, noting that the investment “will enable a further 280 school leaders to take part in our academies in 2027.” She emphasised the programme's focus on values-based leadership and its positive ripple effect on schools and communities across Scotland.
Alison Rooney, headteacher at Langloan Primary School and Nursery Class in Coatbridge, shared her positive experience, stating, “The Head Teachers' Leadership Academy gave me the space to reconnect with what matters most as a leader. The impact has stayed with me long after the Academy ended.”
Columba 1400, a Scottish charity founded in 1997, specialises in values-based leadership academies for young people and the adults in their lives. Recent evaluations show high levels of increased confidence, resilience, and perceived value among participants.
