Devon school wins national role to train teachers of the future

A Mid Devon primary has been selected to become a National Teaching School and help train the teachers and education leaders of the future.

The Duchy School at Bradninch is just one of 54 schools to have been appointed this year throughout the country.

Teaching Schools take a leading role in recruiting and training new entrants to the profession.

They also identify and develop leadership potential, provide support for other schools and work to raise standards of teaching.

Last year, the Duchy was named as one of the best schools in the country after being rated as outstanding across the board.

Independent education inspectors from Ofsted said it was outstanding in all five key areas of its work. That meant the school’s overall effectiveness was outstanding.

All teaching schools have to be rated as outstanding. They work with partner schools in an alliance to provide high quality, school-led, initial teacher training as well as professional development opportunities for teachers at all stages of their career.

They raise standards through supporting other schools, engage in research and development, and ensure that the most talented school leaders are spotted and supported to become successful headteachers.

The Duchy is part of the Primary Academies Trust, which consists of 10 Devon schools.

Executive Headteacher Claire Baillie said: “The whole Duchy School team are delighted to have been selected as a National Teaching School.”

“It is vital that we encourage the best teachers and leaders of the future so that our children can continue to receive the best possible education.”

Primary Academies Trust chief executive, Gary Chown, said: “Since joining PAT, Claire Baillie and her team at Duchy have significantly improved the school and this has now been recognised nationally.

“I am passionate about schools supporting schools and we are delighted that one of our schools has been selected for this accolade. Our intention is that our Teaching School reach and impact is supported by all of the schools within our Multi-Academy Trust.”

“They will work with other schools to inspire success and encourage collaboration to the benefit of all our children.”

The National College for Teaching and Leadership oversees the teaching schools programme.

Chairman Roger Pope, said: “The Duchy School should be very proud of this achievement.

“Teaching schools have shown themselves to be at the heart of school improvement. They’re supporting other schools, attracting and training the best new teachers and developing the next generation of leaders.”