Third cohort of Teaching Leaders graduates

Schools minister David Laws was among those to congratulate 60 middle leaders as they graduated from the Teaching Leaders programme.

The two-year training and development programme, funded by the Department for Education, works with middle leaders from some of the country’s most challenge schools.

Teachers on the programme, which is partnered with Teach First, are typically heads of department or heads of year, but include pastoral, SEN and subject leaders too.

This is the third cohort to graduate from the programme and the charity is currently working with more than 240 schools and 500 middle leaders across the country. Around 150 teachers have graduated from the programme in its first three years. Figures show that these teachers have improved GCSE A* to C rates in their departments by an average of
15 per cent, and 92 per cent of the middle leaders have remained in challenging schools.

The third annual graduation ceremony took place late last month at the Haberdasher’s Hall in London. Speaking to the graduates, Mr Laws said: “Inspirational leadership in schools is paramount to closing the gap between rich and poor. Teaching Leaders’ ability to identify today’s outstanding middle leaders and develop them into the influential headteachers of tomorrow is truly impressive.  

“The ambition of Teaching Leaders matches our own – to have the best teachers in our schools delivering the best education possible. It is the key to ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background.”

Applications for the 2013 Teaching Leaders cohort are open from January 14. Visit www.teachingleaders.org.uk