One of our main roles is to develop best practices and we have promoted several initiatives to support schools facing challenging circumstances.
These include an action research project with eight schools who face exceptionally challenging circumstances. Over a three year period, the aim was to develop and test a range of inputs to help raise pupil attainment.

We are also supporting the Associate Headteacher Programme (formerly the Trainee Headteacher Programme). This places well qualified experienced Deputy Heads, who have the potential for headship, in good well run schools that are facing challenging circumstances. The trainees work alongside the headteacher and the senior management team.