Transparency data

Teaching schools and system leadership: December 2018

Updated 2 July 2021

Applies to England

1. Overview

The purpose of this publication is to provide updated figures on the amount of system leaders currently working within the school system in England. There is variation between reports due to the natural churn of the system, including designation processes, changes to eligibility and staff turnover.

The number of system leaders that are currently designated is actively managed and the department keeps these matters under review.

This information is correct as of 1 December 2018.

As at 1 December 2018, across England there were:

  • 655 teaching school alliances – a decrease of 5 from 1 September 2018
  • 816 teaching schools – a decrease of 5 from 1 September 2018
  • 1,255 national leaders of education – a decrease of 10 from 1 September 2018
  • 407 national leaders of governance – a decrease of 8 from 1 September 2018

2. Teaching schools and teaching school alliances

As at 1 December 2018 there were 655 teaching school alliances across England and 816 teaching schools.

The number of teaching school alliances decreased by 5 and the number of teaching schools decreased by 5 from September 2018. Around 82% of teaching school alliances had one teaching school although a few had as many as 5 or 6.

Teaching schools were present in all 8 English RSC areas, and in 149 out of 150 local authorities: City of London and Isles of Scilly are excluded from the analysis as each has only one maintained school. The Isle of Wight is the only local authority not to have a teaching school although it should be noted that teaching schools and teaching school alliances can work across local authority boundaries.

Lancashire and West Yorkshire had the highest number of teaching schools with 134 (16.4%). The North had the fewest with 69 (8.5%).

2.1 Number of teaching schools by RSC area

RSC area Number of teaching schools Change from September 2018 Percentage of all teaching schools
East Midlands and the Humber 90 0 11.0%
East of England and North East London 104 0 12.7%
Lancashire and West Yorkshire 134 0 16.4%
North 69 -1 8.5%
South Central and North West London 106 -3 13.0%
South East and South London 123 -2 15.1%
South West 84 1 10.3%
West Midlands 106 0 13%
Total 816 -5 100%

(Source: DfE Management Information)

3. National leaders of education (NLEs)

As at 1 December 2018 there were 1,255 national leaders of education, a decrease of 10 from September 2018.

The majority of NLEs belong to different schools and only 57 schools have 2 or more NLEs. NLEs were present in 150 of 150 local authorities: City of London and Isles of Scilly are excluded from the analysis as each has only one maintained school. The Isle of Wight is the only local authority to not have a NLE although NLEs can work across local authority boundaries.

Lancashire and West Yorkshire have the highest number of NLEs with 226 (18%). The North has the fewest with 109 (8.7%).

3.1 Number of NLEs by RSC area

RSC area Number of NLEs Change from September 2018 Percentage of all NLEs
East Midlands and the Humber 189 1 15.1%
East of England and North East London 112 -4 8.9%
Lancashire and West Yorkshire 226 0 18%
North 109 1 8.7%
South Central and North West London 147 0 11.7%
South East and South London 188 -7 15.0%
South West 125 3 10.0%
West Midlands 158 -5 12.6%
Not applicable* 1 1 0.1%
Total 1,255 -10 100%

*Not applicable refers to NLEs/NLGs who are currently in between schools or alternatively have a British Forces Post Office (BFPO) address.

(Source: DfE Management Information)

4. National leaders of governance (NLGs)

There were 407 NLGs as at 1 December 2018. This was a decrease of 8 from September 2018. A total of 131 local authorities had at least one NLG.

Lancashire and West Yorkshire had the highest number of NLGs with 76 (18.7%). The North and West Midlands had the fewest with 34 (8.4%).

4.1 Number of NLGs by RSC area

RSC area NLGs Change from September 2018 Percentage of all NLGs
East Midlands and the Humber 70 -1 17.2%
East of England and North East London 39 3 9.6%
Lancashire and West Yorkshire 76 -2 18.7%
North 34 0 8.4%
South Central and North West London 51 -3 12.5%
South East and South London 68 0 16.7%
South West 35 1 8.6%
West Midlands 34 0 8.4%
Not applicable* 0 0 0.0%
Total 407 -8 100%

*Not applicable refers to NLEs/NLGs who are currently in between schools or alternatively have a BFPO address.

(Source: DfE Management Information)