What is CSL Mentoring?
Mentoring is described as 'a process designed to support and encourage professionals to manage their own learning, maximise their potential, develop their skills and improve their performance.’ (Mentoring Matters, Scotland).
The Centre for School Leadership provides a formal mentoring support for all newly-appointed primary and post-primary principals for their first year in the role.
The CSL vision of mentoring is that of a community of school leaders, who feel supported and valued as professionals, and who work in schools where mentoring is part of the culture of the organisation.
After the initial meeting between mentor and mentee, CSL recommends that there is a two-hour meeting scheduled per month. At the initial meeting, the times and venues for future meetings are planned. A short fortnightly contact is optional. These meetings are usually face to face engagements apart from those involved in long distance relationships. Meetings are also subject to the requirements of public health guidelines. At the end of the academic year, CSL provides the names of those on the mentoring programme to NAPD/IPPN so that they may organise Group Mentoring for principals in their second year of principalship. Data Protection procedures are adhered to in this process.
