In support of schools

MARTINE BUCKLEY

THE headteacher at Yew Tree Community School, Chadderton, has been selected for a top role supporting schools in challenging circumstances.

Martine Buckley has become a National Leader of Education (NLE).

She was one of only 100 heads across the country to be appointed in the latest recruitment round by the National College for School Leadership (NCSL).

To mark the occasion she attended an induction at the NCSL Learning and Conference Centre in Nottingham.

The event gave the new NLEs their first opportunity to network with each other and to discuss the role they will play in raising standards.

NLEs use their success and professionalism as school leaders, along with the staff in their school — designated a National Support School — to provide additional leadership capacity in struggling schools.

The type of support provided is flexible, ranging from coaching or consultancy and interim leadership roles to leadership of more than one school in a federated or executive headship.

They also have responsibility for helping to grow the next generation of NLEs and National Support Schools.

The latest expansion of the scheme brings the total number available for deployment nationally to about 300.

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.

Mrs Buckley said: “We have a great school, great staff and great children.

“We look forward to supporting schools in more challenging positions than we are and learning from them too.”

Toby Salt, deputy chief executive of NCSL, added: “I am so proud that these outstanding school leaders like Mrs Buckley are being honoured in this way.

“NLEs, supported by their schools, have a more important role to play than ever in ensuring that excellent school leadership and the best possible opportunities are available to as many children as possible.”