From immersion to establishment. The challenges facing new school heads and the role of ‘New Visions’ in resolving them

New heads taking up their appointments in English schools in recent years have had supportive programmes to help them, both prior to headship and on taking up the role. This study examines the experience of heads new to their role in primary and secondary schools over the period 2002–2004. All were participants in the National College for School Leadership ‘New Visions’ programme for new heads. The study analyses the early experiences of these heads, following the framework offered by O'Mahony and Matthews, and considers what influence the New Visions programme had on the way they addressed issues and problems encountered in their role.