THE principal and staff at RSA Academy Arrow Vale have been selected for a top role supporting schools in challenging circumstances.

Guy Shears is one of 70 headteachers to be appointed to the role of National Leader of Education (NLE) in the latest recruitment round.

NLEs along with staff in their school - designated a National Support School - use their success and professionalism to provide additional leadership capability in other schools.

NLEs are deployed to suit the needs of each school needing support or to those in transition to federation or academy status. The type of support provided is flexible and can often involve NLEs becoming executive headteacher.

They also have responsibility for bringing on the next generation of NLEs and National Support Schools.

Mr Shears said: “It is a tremendous honour for Arrow Vale to be selected as a National Support School. It reflects the outstanding progress that students make at Arrow Vale, and is recognition for the staff of the school, who are without exception an amazingly talented team of people.”

Many NLEs/NSSs report improved exam results at the schools they support, as well as their own.

Charlie Taylor, Chief Executive of the National College for Teaching and Leadership, said: “It’s great that heads like Guy Shears are willing to look beyond their own school gates to help more and more pupils achieve.

"We now have a strong team of National Leaders of Education and their efforts are at the heart of a self-improving, school-led education system.

“School-to-school support is having a growing impact with benefits for both the schools being supported and those providing the support.”

Successful heads will be invited to attend a formal induction and training event for the role in driving school improvement.