08/02/2010
Beech Hill Primary is celebrating being selected for a top national role helping other schools to improve - alongside only 75 other schools around the country
The Westerhope school has been named a National Support School by the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children’s Services with head teacher Nicola Nelson-Taylor named a National Leader in Education - the second school and head in Newcastle to receive the accolades.
The government-backed scheme sees Nicola and her staff supporting schools in challenging circumstances with leadership and advice, as well as advising the government on education policy - with only 75 schools out of 20,000 nationally given the role in the latest round of appointments.
The Linhope Road school was rated as “outstanding” in its most recent Ofsted inspection, with inspectors noting the “rapid progress” made by pupils who reach standards “considerably higher than average”
Nicola said: “The staff and I are honoured to be recognised for the high quality of work which takes place in Beech Hill Primary school.
“I strongly believe that schools should work together to improve the life chances of all our children. Every child in England deserves a first class education.”
There are now 377 National Support Schools and National Leaders in Education nationally, including Moorside Primary and head teacher June Foster, the first in Newcastle to receive the accolade.
John Collings, acting Executive Director of Children’s Services, said: “This is a great achievement, not just for Nicola and her staff, but also for Newcastle, and a real testimony to the progress being made in our schools.
“We know that some of our schools are already very grateful for the advice Nicola and her team have given them, and having a second school recognised in this way is a reminder of the high quality teaching in our city”.
Toby Salt, Deputy Chief Executive of the National College, said: “I am so proud that outstanding school leaders like Nicola Nelson-Taylor are being honoured in this way.
“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.”