Think Like an Entrepreneur: Creative Solutions for School Leaders | Sufian Sadiq

Liz Worthen interviews Sufian Sadiq, Chief Talent and Transformation Officer at Chiltern Learning Trust, about using innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking to work more sustainably in schools. 

Sufian shares how his background in business studies and entrepreneurship shapes a talent strategy that has recruited 350 teachers without paid adverts, driven by social media, local presence and long-term relationship-building.

He explains targeting local demographics, using platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, and partnering with local influencers to boost ITT recruitment and improve diversity and retention through local hires. 

Sufian argues that schools should treat job applicants, trainees, pupils, parents and staff as customers by curating consistent, high-quality experiences – from reception interactions to the classroom, CPD events and open evenings – so schools become valued community hubs.

“Every interaction with us has to be an interaction that feels like a positive interaction. It needs to be consistent, it needs to be carefully curated, and it needs to make sure it meets the needs of our customers to exactly the level that we need it to be at.”

“As soon as you start doing that, you start creating schools that are real hubs in communities, and you create a sense of belonging for everyone, because you've thought about what it means for them to belong.” 

Sufian Sadiq is Chief Talent & Transformation Officer at Chiltern Learning Trust, and Co-President Elect of the Chartered College of Teaching. Responsible for the Chiltern Teaching School, Sufian brings an innovative approach to trainee and staff recruitment, as well as the delivery of high-quality CPD. He hosts the Muslim Teachers' Association podcast, ‘An audience with’. 

Liz Worthen is an educator, researcher, podcaster and writer. Her career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development, creating resources which enable leaders to flourish in their roles. Creating Value in Schools is about the exploration of sustainable working in education, to secure better outcomes for learners and communities.

#Schools #Education #SchoolBusinessLeadership

00:00 Welcome and theme

00:28 Sufian’s entrepreneurial roots

02:46 Recruiting without adverts

05:44 Social media talent pipeline

10:11 Localised recruitment strategy

14:28 Community pride and retention

16:42 Harrods level customer care

25:25 Curating the open evening experience

30:44 Entrepreneurial thinking for all

33:07 Know your stakeholders

35:20 Final thanks and wrap up