THE headteacher and staff at Barnoldswick Church of England Primary School have been selected for top roles supporting schools in challenging circumstances and training new teachers.

Michelle Ellis is one of more than 50 headteachers to be appointed to the role of National Leader of Education in the latest recruitment round.

National Leaders of Education along with staff in their school – appointed as national support schools – use their knowledge and experience to provide additional leadership capability in other schools in need of support.

The type of support provided is flexible and tailored to meet the needs of each individual school. National Leaders of Education also have responsibility for developing the next generation of NLEs and national support schools.

Barnoldswick Church of England Primary School is also one of over 40 schools that has been selected to become a National Teaching School in the latest recruitment round, taking a leading role in recruiting and training new entrants to the profession.

Introduced in 2011, teaching schools are excellent schools that work with partner schools in an alliance to provide high quality school-led initial teacher training and professional development opportunities for teachers at all stages of their career.

They raise standards through supporting other schools, especially those in challenging circumstances, and ensure that the most talented school leaders are spotted and supported to become successful Headteachers.

Michelle Ellis, headteacher at Barnoldswick C of E Primary School, said, “We are delighted to become a Teaching School. It will be a privilege to allow our teachers to share their knowledge and expertise to support other schools and train new teachers. It is the mission of every teacher to ensure that all pupils receive the best education possible.”

Lord Agnew, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the School System, said, “I’d like to congratulate Michelle Ellis at Barnoldswick Church of England Primary School on being appointed as a teaching school and a national leader of education. They should be very proud of this achievement. Teaching schools and national leaders of education are supporting other schools, attracting and training the best new teachers and developing the next generation of leaders.”