RUNNING a school is similar to heading a First Division football team, Preston North End manager told East Lancashire teachers.

The former headteacher told education bosses on a unique mentoring scheme that their jobs were very similar when he addressed their annual meeting at the club's Deepdale ground.

Lancashire County Council's headteacher mentor training sessions were set-up in 1995 and involve newly appointed headteachers being matched with mentor headteachers who can help and advise them though the first year in their new role.

Lancashire is the only LEA in the country to receive national accreditation for such a scheme.

Craig taught in his native Scotland before his career in football, which culminated in him becoming Scotland manager, took off.

He said managers and heads had to deal with many similar issues, such as finance, people management, caring for young people -- and having their performances judged by league tables!

Under the scheme, heads from similar sized schools in similar surroundings, such as rural schools' or town schools' heads are matched together and now there are 21 sets of mentors and mentees becoming involved this autumn.

Neil Tranmer, who is head of Brunshaw Primary School, Burnley, has been involved in the scheme for four years as a mentor.

He said: "The post of headteacher can be a lonely one and a scheme like this is highly rewarding for both the mentor and mentee.

"It's great because headteachers can swap ideas and visit other schools."

The heads meet six times throughout the academic year for formal meetings, but many find it helpful to also meet informally and have become good friends.

Lancashire County Council's Adviser Responsible for Headteacher Mentoring, John Fleming, said: "We receive fantastic feedback from everyone who is involved in the project.

This is a great way of developing a strong network of headteachers across the county."