Published: Thursday, 24th July, 2008 16:00
Headteacher to help struggling schools across Britain
By Annabel Williams
Comments (0)
Print Article
THE headteacher of a Tilehurst school has become the latest recruit in the drive to raise education standards across the country.
Churchend Primary School’s head, Kate Dethridge, is one of 61 headteachers nationally to be made a National Leader in Education (NLE).
The status, given by the National College for School Leadership (NCSL), also means the Usk Road school is now designated as a National Support School.
To mark her achievement, Mrs Dethridge was invited to a dinner with schools minister Jim Knight, at Whitehall.
The event gave new NLEs their first opportunity to meet each other and the minister to discuss their role in raising standards and in relation to the National Challenge – the Government’s strategy to improve all schools.
NLEs use their success and professionalism as leaders and their staff to help struggling schools in a variety of ways, from coaching and consultancy to an executive headship.
They also have access to Government ministers to advise on education policy, and have responsibility for helping develop the next generation of NLEs and National Support Schools.
The latest recruitment round brings the total number of NLEs to 181, a figure set to increase by up to 500 by 2012.
Reading Borough Council already has two NLEs, Tim Royle was the first at Highdown School in Emmer Green followed by Marsha Elms, head at Kendrick School.
Mrs Dethridge said: “I am very proud of the work of staff here at Churchend and look forward to further opportunities to work with colleagues elsewhere.
“We will be keen to learn as well as share what we have learnt works for us.”
Reading Borough Council education leader, councillor Jon Hartley, said: "Churchend has rightly been acknowledged as a school that many can learn from.
“We have already seen the effectiveness of Kate’s work with other schools and are proud that another Reading head has been recognised in this way.
“Reading already has two National Leaders in Education and it is very pleasing that we now have a third.
“To have three out of a total of 181 NLEs nationally is a great tribute to the quality and professionalism of our headteachers.”
Further Details
