A TRIO of Middlesbrough schools have been granted special status which will see them become leading schools in the development of education across the town and beyond.
Macmillan Academy, Outwood Academy Acklam and Acklam Grange have been designated ‘Teaching Schools’ by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL).
The prestigious recognition sees the three secondary schools join Pallister Park, Pennyman and St Claire’s Primaries as beacons for others to follow.
Teaching Schools work with others to provide high-quality training and support for school improvement in their local area.
The designation is awarded in recognition of strong leadership that promotes high quality training, development and support to new and experienced school staff.
Launched in 2011, there are now almost 700 Teaching Schools across the country, sharing best practice and helping to improve standards.
Teaching schools focus on delivering teacher training and professional development, supporting other schools to improve and developing future leaders.
Acklam Grange Executive Headteacher Andrea Crawshaw said: “This is excellent news for Middlesbrough.
“Teaching School status means we can recruit, train and support teachers, and bring new teachers into the profession which is absolutely critical.
“We will be able to retain and attract quality staff into the Middlesbrough area, as Teaching Schools are designed to offer high quality professional development, develop leaders, provide school-to-school support and promote research.
“All of which will help all our schools deliver the best possible education for the young people of Middlesbrough.”
Macmillan Academy Principal Phil Latham added: “Teaching School designation will significantly help in recruiting high quality teachers into Middlesbrough schools.
“At a time when teacher recruitment is becoming more challenging, this is a big step forward.”
Mark Hassack, Executive Principal at Outwood Academy Acklam, said: “We will be joining the established Outwood Institute of Education teaching school alliance, which is a network of six teaching schools.
“As a high performing multi-academy trust, we are proud to work in Middlesbrough to put students first, raise standards and transform lives.
“To be able to recruit, train and develop staff even more effectively is exciting and will make a huge difference to the children and communities of the town.”
In addition to gaining Teaching School accreditation, the heads all three schools also have the prestigious National Leader of Education (NLE) status.
Councillor Jan Brunton, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Education and Skills, said: “The award of Teaching School status is an accolade of which all three schools can be rightly proud.
“It is recognition that they have the sort of effective leadership that can inspire other schools in Middlesbrough and beyond to deliver ever greater success for their students and the wider community.
“Our schools are there to give our young people the best possible start in life, and this is further recognition that we are moving in the right direction.”