The National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) has launched a new service aimed at assisting “the next generation of school leaders”.

Dubbed NAHT Edge - Education Generation - the new scheme is focused on supporting middle leaders “in the moment”.

In doing so, the union believes that if and when such individuals transition into senior leadership roles, they will be able to deal with the challenges that face them.

This is because, with NAHT Edge, they will possess the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to be the best headteachers in the world.

In short, they will be “protected, informed and connected” through career development and mentoring; online help and advice; and full legal representation, among other things.

Louis Coiffait, chief executive officer of NAHT Edge, told delegates at the NAHT’s annual conference: "It's time to be frank, we're facing a recruitment crisis at all stages of the education system.

“Until we address it at each of those stages, there’s no chance that we’ll have the quantity or quality of head teachers we need in the future.

“That’s why we set up NAHT Edge – to give the next generation of school leaders the support they need to overcome the challenges they’ll face in their careers.”

In related news, the general secretary of the NAHT said that the current inspection system in the UK is preventing headteachers from being innovative.

Russell Hobby claimed that Ofsted hampers school leaders from being “mavericks” - this has to change, he told conference attendees.

Me Hobby continued: “Let me be explicit. I believe schools can and should be outstanding. I just don’t think we should let a regulator define it

“We have had too many reforms over the last few years; but we need one more. Radical reform of inspection is overdue.”