Teaching schools making their mark
Information about the 150 new teaching schools designated by the National College for Teaching and Leadership.
The National College for Teaching and Leadership has today confirmed the latest wave of teaching schools to be officially designated – recognising the significant role the successful schools will play in staff development and school improvement.
The latest tranche of 150 schools brings the total number of teaching schoolsto just over 360.
Today’s announcement coincides with the publication of two new papers by the National College for Teaching and Leadership that illustrate how teaching schools are already making their mark on the school system, even though they are a relatively new feature of the education landscape.
The first - entitled ‘How teaching schools are making a difference’ – includes a wide range of examples of how teaching schools are taking advantage of greater autonomy to develop high quality approaches to teacher training, staff development and school improvement.
The second publication is a think piece called ‘Teaching Schools: first among equals?’ by Peter Matthews and George Berwick on the origins, development and future of teaching schools and their alliances in England.
The National College for Teaching and Leadership – the new single agency created by the Department for Education from the merger of the Teaching Agency and National College for School Leadership - has responsibility for the designation and quality of teaching schools.
- Almost 1 in 10 schools nationally, representing 1 in 8 pupils, have already joined a teaching school alliance
- About 2000 Specialist Leaders of Education have been designated - a new role designed to support other middle and senior leaders and deliver improvements across schools
- Last year the first 100 teaching schools reported that they and their alliance partners had been involved in the delivery of over 10,000 ITT placements
- Well over one-third of all School Direct places will be delivered by teaching schools alliances next year
- The total number of teaching schools in England is set to rise to about 500 teaching schools by 2015
Charlie Taylor, Chief Executive of the National College for Teaching and Leadership, said:
Well over one million children are already attending schools that are engaged in a teaching school alliance and this number will rise as the latest group to be designated get underway. Teaching schools are not only making a strong contribution to teacher supply, leadership development and school improvement but they are leading the way it is delivered.
These schools should be proud of their role as they are harnessing the finest teaching talent in the profession to drive school improvement in innovative ways, and bring real benefits to pupils and staff. Trainees can learn from the best teachers in action and those who want to step up to leadership roles are exposed to excellent practice within and beyond their immediate school.
The teaching schools initiative began in 2011, marking a shift towards more school-centred training and development. The programme gives outstanding schools the opportunity to lead a group of schools, working with other partners including at least one university, to deliver high quality support for teachers and leaders at all stages in their career.
As they develop, teaching schools working with other schools and universities will help to provide a strong supply of new teachers, develop leaders and the next generation of heads, and support schools in challenging circumstances.
The latest group to be awarded teaching school status will attend a formal induction event at the National College’s learning and conference centre in Nottingham this month.
Notes to editors
The list of designated teaching schools, as well as the two papers (How teaching schools are making a difference, and the thinkpiece Teaching Schools: first among equals?) can be found on the Teaching schools page.
Last month Education Secretary Michael Gove announced an extra £10 million for teaching schools to boost teacher training.
About the National College for Teaching and Leadership
The National College for Teaching and Leadership exists to support the development of a self-improving, school-led system. It has two key aims: improving the quality of the education workforce; and helping schools to help each other to improve. An executive agency of the Department for Education, it was created in April 2013 following a merger of the National College for School Leadership and the Teaching Agency.
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