Professional development

• National leaders of education and national support schools
  • Who can be a national leader of education?
  • What's involved?
  • Apply
  • Information for governors
  • Impact of the programme
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Contact details

Information for governors on the NLE/NSS programme

The National Leaders of Education and National Support Schools Programme is about using people’s skills to make a difference to the educational experience of more children. In addition to running their own outstanding schools, national leaders of education (NLEs) work with their national support school (NSS) staff in schools that are facing challenging circumstances. They and their team work to increase the leadership capacity in these schools and help to raise standards. Their main purpose is to ensure that there is a good school for every child.

Being an NLE gives an opportunity for staff to move beyond the leadership of one school to a wider role providing leadership to the system. It is the natural next step for an outstanding headteacher and in this way can help to retain exceptional heads in that role. At the same time, being an NLE will provide a broader experience that will benefit the home school. NSS staff can also be involved in a wider context and gain important career development opportunities. It can help with succession planning in schools as it provides opportunities for promotion.

"Our schools are improving. The quality of leadership is rising. But the imperative to ensure that every school is a good school and every pupil has an opportunity to access a high quality education remains. In NLEs and NSSs we have the means to help us achieve those objectives." Steve Munby, Chief Executive, National College

Key questions for governors

What does it take to qualify as an NLE and NSS?

Applicants need to show that they meet rigorous criteria in order to be designated as an NLE and NSS. Find out more about the current criteria for this programme.

Will our school suffer if the headteacher is supporting another school?

Our research shows that the school providing the support gains as well as the school being supported. The head and staff bring back new ideas from the schools in which they work and they are refreshed and energised by the opportunities that this work offers.

You can find out more about the benefits in the following publications:

• Schools leading schools II
• Schools leading schools

Does the school get any choice over deployment?

The first step in any deployment is to draw up a contract with the relevant commissioning body specifying what support is going to be provided, how much it is going to cost, and the expected outcomes. The national support school is fully in control of negotiating this contract.

What does an NLE/NSS actually do?

In some circumstances, the NLE or a member of the leadership team may act as an interim or executive head. The NLE may provide mentoring to support a new head in post. It may involve staff from the school providing specific advice and help on curriculum teaching or leadership.support, with staff from the NSS, for 1-2 days a week as an external source of support.

How is the work of the NLE and the NSS paid for?

The NSS receives a small bursary paid annually in recognition of the extra demands placed upon it in terms of attending meetings, setting up systems etc. However, any significant deployment is paid for through the contract with the relevant commissioning body.