I heard recently that we have been selected for a top role supporting schools in challenging circumstances.


I have been appointed a National Leader of Education (NLE); the school is now designated a National Support School (NSS). We join a scheme, run by the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children’s Services, whose aim is to support other schools in raising standards.


NLEs use their success and professionalism as school leaders, along with the staff in their school to provide additional leadership capacity in struggling schools. The deployment is tailor-made to suit the needs of each school in challenging circumstances.


The latest expansion of the scheme brings the total number available for deployment nationally to 377. The overall expansion will see the number of NLEs increase by up to 500 by 2012 leading ultimately to 300 primary and 200 secondary National Support Schools. It is estimated that up to half a million children have so far benefited from the scheme.


We already work closely with many local schools, primary and secondary. Taking on this role celebrates our teachers’ tremendous talent and commitment. Partnership with other schools is always two-way: it gives us an opportunity to share our insight and skills in a way that also stimulates our own practice, so that pupils at both partner schools benefit. We have been preparing for this type of work for a while, and I am confident that we are now in a position to be able to offer support without compromising the high standards and expectations of Bishop Luffa. Indeed, I think we can all be excited by the opportunities of the role.


Toby Salt, Deputy Chief Executive of the National College, said, “This scheme is about great headteachers and their teams helping others and making a big difference. Many of the schools in the scheme see improvements in exam results at both the support and client schools with progress achieved in excess of the improvements nationally. This is thanks to the hard work and dedication of all those involved.”


Nick Taunt
Headteacher

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