A WORCESTER company is at the forefront of a new initiative to transfer business leadership skills to schools.

Profit Through People Ltd, on Blackpole Road, recognises that leading a school today requires a similar range of skills and vision to managing a business.

The training company has developed the Ithaka Leadership Programme to give school heads the skills they need in today's competitive environment.

The Government's new National College for School Leadership (NCSL) will administer the programme nationally, following its launch at the Education Show at the National Exhibition Centre earlier this month.

Since it was set up in 1992, Profit Through People has earned a reputation for innovative but practical approaches to chief executive, director and management development.

More than 750 delegates have attended the company's flagship Managing Director and Directors Programme.

The expertise gained in working with these companies has contributed to the design of the Ithaka Leadership Programme.

"For years, industry practice has shown that if individuals are to lead an organisation effectively they must have a thorough understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses, skills and experiences," said Heather Du Quesnay, director and chief executive of NCSL.

"This programme helps head teachers along that journey. It's an in-depth and challenging process, but all the evidence shows that it can have an amazing, and sometimes life-changing impact on participants, often unlocking potential they never realised they had."

Peter Sturrock, managing director of Profit Through People, and himself a former teacher, said many headteachers were "lonely at the top" and did not have people with whom they could share their experiences and concerns.

"This programme allows them to explore different ways of doing things and to choose what's best for their personality," he said.

"Our facilitators are highly skilled and are used to dealing with the sensitive issues which affect leadership.

''Essentially, we provide a safe and confidential environment in which the real issues are addressed and solutions developed.

"From the pilot programmes we have found that, as with industry, there is then a real need to cascade specific management development activities, such as teambuilding, to the next tier of management."