Last updated at 10:35, Friday, 07 December 2012

SCHOOL leaders have been recognised with a national accolade.

EXPERTISE: Pam Atkinson, left and Paul Baggaley of Millom School, who have had their work recognised by the National College for School Leadership SUBMITTED

Millom School’s Pam Atkinson and Paul Baggaley have been designated as Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs) by the National College for School Leadership.

Mrs Atkinson, director of learning for Key Stage Four and Five, and Mr Baggaley, head of English and maths, have been celebrated for their work supporting St Benedict’s School in Whitehaven which is in special measures.

Millom School headteacher Ian Smith said: “This is great news for Mrs Atkinson and Mr Baggaley as it recognises their talents both locally and nationally.

“St Benedict’s is making good progress and will see special measures removed in the specified period as a result of internal improvement, the catalyst for this being, to a large extent, the expertise deployed into the school from Millom School.”

Millom School is a strategic partner in the South Lakes Teaching School Alliance.

SLEs are outstanding senior leaders who have the skills to support individuals or teams in similar positions in other schools.

They help others work towards achieving outstanding leadership practice.

Mrs Atkinson and Mr Baggaley have been developing the leadership capacity of middle and senior leaders at St Benedict’s, using coaching that draws on their knowledge and expertise, particularly in the strategic use of data and improvements to teaching.

Mr Smith said Cumbria is rapidly developing the concept of school-to- school support to improve leadership and its impact on teaching and examination results for students.

He said: “There is a very strong model developing through the introduction of new and exciting partnerships between senior leaders in Cumbrian schools, governors of those schools, representatives of the National College and the local
authority.

“The impact of these new partnerships is being felt in a number of settings and I am very proud of Mr Baggaley and Mrs Atkinson.

Their work has been highly significant in developing and unleashing the potential of a good number of staff at St Benedict’s.

This work was rightly recognised by Ofsted in its monitoring inspections.”

Mr Smith also highly praised Craig Redhead, Millom School’s head of ICT, for his support of ICT tracking of student progress and student leadership.

Colin Richards, chair of governors at Millom School said: “This shows how Millom School is a source of expertise from which other schools in the county can benefit.

“I’d like to offer my personal congratulations to Paul, Pam and Craig.”

First published at 10:33, Friday, 07 December 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk