15,000th ASCL member

Assistant Head Natalie Sheppard from Forest Gate Community School in London was presented with a bottle of champagne at ASCL's Annual Conference in March, as the 15,000th member to join the association.

Assistant heads now make up 35 per cent of ASCL's full membership, a greater percentage than heads or deputies. Also, the number of business managers and senior support staff in membership is very close to reaching 1,000.

ASCL membership has continued to rise against a backdrop of shrinking leadership teams and increasing level of retirement. Feedback shows that the vast majority of members join because of word of mouth or recommendation from a colleague so our thanks go to everyone who helps to spread the good word about ASCL.

• The four months' free membership offer runs until the end of August. See www.ascl.org.uk/offers