Sheldon School has become one of the first in the country to be selected for an important new role aimed at further raising standards.
Sheldon is one of only 100 schools in England to be granted teaching school status – a new designation entitling it to lead the training and professional development for staff.
It was selected by the National College for School Leadership which had about 1,200 expressions of interest in the first recruitment round. Staff from the school will now be invited to the National College’s Learning and Conference Centre in Nottingham in September for a formal induction.
Of the 100 elite schools to receive this designation, Sheldon is one of only 56 secondary schools, with only three others in the South West region.
Teaching schools will be responsible for leading a group of schools, working with other partners including at least one university, to deliver high quality support for teachers and leaders at all stages in their career.
Education Secretary Michael Gove said: “The best education systems around the world recruit the highest calibre of graduates, and train and develop them rigorously throughout their career. I am delighted we have the first hundred of the best schools in the country, led by the best heads, becoming teaching schools from this September.”
Gerard MacMahon, Sheldon’s headteacher said: “It is a great honour for Sheldon to have been selected to take on this important new role helping other schools to improve and developing teacher training.”
“Teaching schools, like teaching hospitals, are expected to be centres of excellence. Pupils in other schools will also benefit, as Sheldon will be leading a teaching school alliance involving all the north Wiltshire secondary schools, St Mary’s independent school and two special schools. The University of Bath and Bath Spa University will partner Sheldon in improving teacher training.”
Steve Munby, Chief Executive of the National College, said: “To take on this role, teaching schools like Sheldon need to be among the best in the country - outstanding in their own performance and have a track record of raising standards through school-to-school support.
“Over time teaching schools will harness the finest teaching talent in the profession to drive school improvement, and bring real benefits to pupils. Trainees will learn from the best teachers in action and those who want to step up to more senior leadership positions will be exposed to excellent practice within and beyond their immediate school.” | 
