Act One
We get asked lots of versions of the following questions:
🙋 Is the Yorks100 right for me right now?
🙋♀️ I'm planning on doing my NPQH soon. Should I do this first/instead?
🙋 I've done my NPQH. Is there any point in me completing this programme too? Am I even eligible?
The shortest answer to all of the above is, “it depends". But that's not very helpful at all—so let’s explore it.
To do so, we think it’s helpful to reaffirm what the Yorks100 is and isn’t before circling back around to the questions above.
But… if you’re pushed for time and/or clued up already, click here to fast-forward to the big reveal in the final act.
Act Two
1️⃣ The Yorks100 is not a complete guide to headship ❌
It will not teach you everything you need to know to become a headteacher in one year. The NPQH probably gets closer to this.
We get that this is an interesting piece of positioning for a new school leadership programme—so why do we say it?
There are a few reasons, but fundamentally:
❌ The object of our programme is neither the 'role of headteacher' nor the national frameworks that try to exemplify it;
✅ The object is the eradication of endemic educational inequality.
This means that we've designed the Yorks100 around context, local conditions, and purpose—rather than a generic role specification. And we think it's very different in this regard.
It's responsive:
🌍 Internationally-informed,
📍 Regionally-led, and
🏘 Community-focused.
From a content perspective, then, we’ve sacrificed breadth for depth—focusing as best we can on the theories and praxes required to eradicate educational inequality.
That's the programme’s focus, and something we strongly encourage all prospective Yorks100ers to consider when weighing it up versus other (also excellent!) options.
2️⃣ The Yorks100 is not (just) about developing you ❌
The subject of our programme is subtly different too.
We place great significance on the role of the cohort—and the wider 100 movement—in affecting, accelerating, and sustaining positive change.
Relationships really matter.
For us, this is important both in terms of ‘what we do’ and ‘how we do it’.
We challenge our leaders to develop stronger, more trusting relationships within the communities they serve and invest time and energy into strengthening their ties as a cohort.
For the individual, the Yorks100 provides:
✅ Independent leadership coaching to enhance professional development;
✅ Bespoke content to build the knowledge needed to lead effectively; and,
✅ Rigorously practical tasks to prepare leaders for mission-critical headteacher responsibilities.
And collectively, our cohorts work through:
✅ Webinars to unpack challenges with expert practitioners;
✅ Residentials and conferences to share insights, reflect on practices & embed relationships; and,
✅ Visits to high-performing schools in England (and beyond!) to see great practice, together.
To complete the set, here’s what happens when:
Act Three
So...
🙋 Is the Yorks100 suitable for me (right now)?
If you're:
☑️ Looking to lead a school in the next five years;
☑️ Committed to eradicating educational inequality in Yorkshire; and
☑️ Convinced that better is possible and believe that—together—we can bring it forward.
Then, it’s a firm yes—💯!
🙋♀️ I'm planning on doing my NPQH soon. Should I do this first/instead?
That’s personal and it really depends on what you want and need next.
The Yorks100 maintains an unapologetic focus on, in our view, the biggest educational challenge facing the region. If you share that view and want to build a network of like-minded, similarly motivated school leaders from across the region—it’s a great place to start.
🙋 I've done my NPQH. Is there any point in me completing this programme too? Am I eligible?
Absolutely. You're certainly eligible and we believe the programme has loads to offer to complement other programmes, such as the NPQH.
*Titles role*
Bonus post-credit sequence
That’s what we reckon, anyway. Here’s what two of our current crop of 100ers in the South West think 👇