OUR PHILOSOPHY

As Prof. Henry Mintzberg has observed, for most organizations, “strategic planning is an oxymoron,” meaning that once a plan becomes published and codified, it often becomes ossified, and therefore unresponsive to unforeseen challenges and opportunities. We guide school leaders and boards to adopt a nimble and ongoing “strategic posture” that invites focused attention as well as generative, “blue sky” thinking.

OUR APPROACH

As Prof. Henry Mintzberg has observed, for most organizations, “strategic planning is an oxymoron,” meaning that once a plan becomes published and codified, it often becomes ossified, and therefore unresponsive to unforeseen challenges and opportunities. We guide school leaders and boards to adopt a nimble and ongoing “strategic posture” that invites focused attention as well as generative, “blue sky” thinking.

SERVICES WE PROVIDE

Heads Up Educational Consulting provides consultancy services in several arenas, some requiring multiple days of service, others single-day in-service trainings.

  • STRATEGIC PLANNING
  • HEAD SEARCHES
  • SCHOOL FOUNDING AND START UP
  • ACCREDITATION SELF-STUDY BASELINE DATA, SURVEYS, AND THEMES
  • PROGRAM AUDITS (ACADEMICS, ATHLETICS, ARTS, STUDENT LIFE, RESIDENTIAL LIFE, COUNSELING, ETC.)
  • OPERATIONAL AUDITS (ADMISSIONS, DEVELOPMENT/ADVANCEMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, CAMPUS UTILIZATION, AUXILIARY BUSINESSES, ETC.)
  • BRAND DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF PORTFOLIO
  • OTHER PROJECTS AS PROPOSED BY CLIENTS

ABOUT US

OUR FOUNDERS

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PATRICK F. BASSETT

President & Senior Consultant
HEADS UP EDUCATIONAL CONSULTING

Former teacher, school head, and President of NAIS, the National Association of Independent Schools

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RICHARD ODELL

CEO & Senior Consultant
HEADS UP EDUCATIONAL CONSULTING

Former head of school at Interlochen Arts Academy, The Leelanau School, and IMG Academies

Announcement of Patrick F. Bassett’s Retirement from Heads Up Ed

After 48 years in the independent school business, Pat Bassett announces formally his retirement from the industry.  He began his career as a teacher, coach, and dorm parent at Woodberry Forest School (VA) in 1970 - 1980, followed by two headships, Stuart Hall (VA) 1980-1989, and Pomfret School (CT) from 1989 – 1993. Bassett served as the president of ISACS, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States, from 1993 – 2001, and then president of NAIS, the National Association of Independent Schools, from 2001 to 2013, after which time he retired and co-founded with Rich Odell Heads Up Educational Consulting, LLC, 2013-2018.  

 

While he will complete his booked commitments for 2018-19, continue to make observations on Twitter (@PatBassett), further his work for boards on which he serves, and remain as a background resource for Heads Up Ed, he will not himself accept any further consulting assignments.  He is finally fully retired and happily ensconced with his wife Barbara in reading, immersion in the arts, visits to Colorado to be with children and grandchildren, and attempts, however futile, to lower his handicap in golf.

 

Any future inquiries regarding Heads Up Ed services should be directed to Rich Odell (odell@headsuped.com and 231.313.1100).