Ofsted: Schools must develop partnerships to improve skills

The inspectorate's report Developing Leadership looked at 24 high-performing primary and secondary schools designated as a "national leader of education".

They praised the partnerships the schools had formed with other schools to improve management skills and their investment in training.

Head teachers and senior staff at the schools were also praised for knowing their staff well and personalising training.

This led to schools improving their staff retention rate and helping to recruit senior staff from their own ranks.

The report calls on the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children's Services to do more to encourage partnerships between schools in terms of management training.

Ofsted chief inspector Christine Gilbert said: "The survey identifies the characteristics of the leadership practice in 24 successful schools. Each one values its staff, invests in them well and develops them to do better still.

"Schools, and therefore children, benefit from partnerships with each other that are really focused on the detailed practice of teaching and on very practical professional development."

Toby Salt, deputy chief executive of the National College, said the report provided a "rich insight into how National Leaders of Education and their staff are driving improvements across the education system through school-to-school support".
 
He added: "We’re already extending opportunities for the best heads to work in partnerships beyond their own school gates by doubling the number of designated National Support Schools, while maintaining stringent criteria and quality assurance that have made the scheme so successful to date.

"The college will also be helping to further spread the influence of best practice on school improvement by establishing Teaching Schools which with their partners will lead the training and professional development of teachers and head teachers."

Russell Hobby, NAHT general secretary, said: "[The National College's] Local and National Leaders of Education scheme is an excellent way of spreading good practice while providing school leaders in challenging circumstances with constructive and practical professional support.

"That said, it is important to remember that all across the country school leaders in all kinds of settings are working hard to develop staff, maximise learning and build strong local networks for the benefit of the whole community. What we need now are improved inspection and accountability systems so that more of those leaders get the recognition they deserve."