Teaching schools and system leadership: September 2019
Updated 2 July 2021
Applies to England
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1. Overview
The purpose of this publication is to provide updated figures on the number 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.
Designation rounds for NLEs and teaching schools closed in May 2018 and designation rounds for NLGs closed in May 2017. The department is currently reviewing the current structure of system leadership to ensure the quality of system leadership remains as high as possible. The teaching school hubs test and learn phase, launched in May 2019, builds on the success of the teaching schools programme and is the first part of the department’s plans to review system leadership.
The number of system leaders who are currently designated is actively managed and the department keeps these matters under review.
This information is correct as of 1 September 2019.
As at 1 September 2019, across England there were:
- 618 teaching school alliances - a decrease of 13 from 1 June 2019
- 754 teaching schools - a decrease of 24 from 1 June 2019
- 1,087 national leaders of education - a decrease of 95 from 1 June 2019
- 363 national leaders of governance - a decrease of 20 from 1 June 2019
2. Teaching schools and teaching school alliances
As at 1 September 2019, there were 618 teaching school alliances across England and 754 teaching schools. The number of teaching school alliances decreased by 13 and the number of teaching schools decreased by 24 from June 2019. Around 84% 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 147 out of 150 local authorities: City of London and Isles of Scilly are excluded from the analysis as each has only one maintained school. Although 3 local education authorities do not have a teaching school, this does not necessarily translate to zero coverage, as teaching schools can work across local authority boundaries.
Lancashire and West Yorkshire had the highest number of teaching schools with 126 (16.7%). The north had the fewest with 62 (8.2%).
3. Number of teaching schools by RSC area
| RSC area | Number of teaching schools | Change from June 2019 | Percentage of all teaching schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Midlands and Humber | 85 | -2 | 11.3% |
| East of England and north-east London | 98 | -2 | 13.0% |
| Lancashire and west Yorkshire | 126 | -4 | 16.7% |
| North | 62 | -2 | 8.2% |
| South central and north-west London | 95 | -6 | 12.6% |
| South East and south London | 112 | -3 | 14.9% |
| South West | 82 | -1 | 10.9% |
| West Midlands | 94 | -4 | 12.5% |
| Total | 754 | -24 |
(Source: DfE management information)
4. National leaders of education (NLEs)
As at 1 September 2019, there were 1,087 national leaders of education, a decrease of 95 from June 2019.
The majority of NLEs belong to different schools and only 33 schools have 2 or more NLEs. NLEs were present in 146 of 150 local authorities: City of London and Isles of Scilly are excluded from the analysis as each has only one maintained school. Although 4 local education authorities do not have an NLE, this does not necessarily translate to zero coverage, as NLEs can work across local authority boundaries.
Lancashire and west Yorkshire have the highest number of NLEs with 198 (18.2%). The north has the fewest with 94 (8.6%).
5. Number of NLEs by RSC area
| RSC area | Number of NLEs | Change from June 2019 | Percentage of all NLEs |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Midlands and Humber | 157 | -20 | 14.4% |
| East of England and north-east London | 99 | -9 | 9.1% |
| Lancashire and west Yorkshire | 198 | -17 | 18.2% |
| North | 94 | -7 | 8.6% |
| South central and north-west London | 119 | -14 | 10.9% |
| South East and south London | 169 | -12 | 15.5% |
| South West | 105 | -6 | 9.7% |
| West Midlands | 145 | -10 | 13.3% |
| Not applicable | 1 | 0 | 0.1% |
| Total | 1087 | -95 |
(Source: DfE management information)
6. National leaders of governance (NLGs)
There were 363 NLGs as at 1 September 2019. This was a decrease of 20 from June 2019. A total of 123 local authorities had at least one NLG.
Lancashire and west Yorkshire had the highest number of NLGs with 69 (19.0%). The north, and West Midlands had the fewest with 31 (8.5%).
7. Number of NLGs by RSC area
| RSC area | Number of NLGs | Change from June 2019 | Percentage of all NLGs |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Midlands and Humber | 64 | -1 | 17.6% |
| East of England and north-east London | 32 | -2 | 8.8% |
| Lancashire and west Yorkshire | 69 | -4 | 19.0% |
| North | 31 | -1 | 8.5% |
| South central and north-west London | 46 | -4 | 12.7% |
| South East and south London | 55 | -6 | 15.2% |
| South West | 35 | -1 | 9.6% |
| West Midlands | 31 | -1 | 8.5% |
| Not applicable | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Total | 363 | -20 |
(Source: DfE management information)
Not applicable refers to NLEs and NLGs who are currently in between schools or alternatively have a BFPO address.