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Southampton City Council Press Releases
Bitterne Park is chosen to become a National Teaching School
30/03/2012
A school in Southampton has been selected for an important new role aimed at further raising standards.
Bitterne Park School is one of only about 100 schools in England to be granted teaching school status in the second wave.
The designation by the National College for School Leadership entitles the school to lead the training and professional development for staff.
Staff from the successful school will now be invited to the National College’s Learning and Conference Centre in Nottingham in April for a formal induction.
The teaching schools initiative began last autumn, marking a shift towards school-centred training and development. The programme gives outstanding schools the freedom and autonomy 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.
Susan Trigger, Headteacher, said: “We are delighted our outstanding achievement and high standards in teaching and learning have been recognised via this national Teaching School status. Our very successful outreach and support work with other schools, can now be developed further.”
The National College has responsibility for the designation and quality of the teaching schools programme, working closely with the Department for Education (DfE), as the national network grows to 500 teaching schools by 2014.
Steve Munby, Chief Executive of the National College, said: “Teaching schools like Bitterne Park School need to be at the top of their game to take on this role - outstanding in their own performance and have a track record of raising standards through school-to-school support.
“We now have over 200 teaching schools around the country who are in a position to harness 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 move up the career ladder are exposed to excellent practice within and beyond their immediate school.”
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.
ENDS
Note to editors:
For further information contact:
Headteacher Susan Trigger, Bitterne Park School on 023 8029 4150.
For more information about the National College’s role in the teaching schools programme contact Richard Earle on 07776 494545, email Richard.earle@nationalcollege.org.uk or visit www.nationalcollege.org.uk
Link: Learning in Southampton
