New recruitment drive for ‘talented headteachers’ aims to tackle Northamptonshire’s poor performance

Thirty-one primary schools in Northamptonshire are rated as requiring improvement or inadequate by Ofsted, it has been revealed.
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The figures came as the Department for Education revealed the county had been added to the Talented Leaders scheme that sees ‘great headteachers’ recruited to improve schools in need of support.

The performance of primary schools in the county is worse than the national average, according to a spokesman for the Talented Leaders Trust.

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“Attainment is also below average for all students and EVER6FSM students at both primary and secondary level,” the spokesman added.

The programme will be rolling out in eligible schools in Northamptonshire. Schools “struggling to appoint great headteachers” can apply to be part of the programme now.

“After passing a rigorous selection process, Talented Leaders heads will be matched to suitable schools in agreement with governors and appointing bodies,” he said.

“Once appointed, they will work in small local clusters and be supported in their task by a £50,000 grant, membership of a peer support network, expert mentoring and an on-going development programme so that children continue to benefit from higher quality education in the years ahead.”

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Talented Leaders commit to their new school for a minimum of three years.

“Our mission is to raise the achievement of all children, regardless of background. Having begun by working in inner-city schools, it has become increasingly clear that great headteachers are desperately needed in areas like Northamptonshire.

“The Talented Leaders programme addresses that need. Despite much great work from teachers in Northamptonshire, there is a great deal to do before we can guarantee that every child will receive the excellent education they are entitled to.

“We are so excited to bring Northamptonshire into the Talented Leaders network to benefit from the outstanding leadership of our heads,” the spokesman added.

Schools and governing boards who are struggling to recruit a great headteacher can get in touch with The Future Leaders Trust to register their interest in the Talented Leaders programme.