It is a school that has met the criteria to be a high-performing school. Training Schools demonstrate excellent practice across the range of teacher training activities, especially in initial teacher training and the continuing training and development of the whole school workforce. They are imaginative and influential in these areas. A substantial proportion of their training programmes involve collaborative work with others for the benefit of staff and pupils beyond their own boundaries.
Training Schools undertake a range of teacher training activities including good practice in teacher training provision, developing facilities for trainees to observe teaching lessons off-site, encouraging flexible and employment-based routes into teaching and developing the range and quality of mentor training and coaching. They undertake classroom based research into raising the quality of teaching and learning and share good practice with other schools. They often take the lead in other work to develop professional development opportunities for teachers, support staff, middle and senior leaders as well as trainees and NQTs. They work with key partners including other schools, the LA, HEIs and other ITT providers to meet local need.
From Spring 2005 the opportunity to join the Training School programme has only been availableto high performing specialist schools at their point of re-designation. In 2005 and 2006, High Performing Specialist Schools have been given the option of becoming a Training School. The application process has been simplified in line with proposals for a New Relationship with Schools. If you are assessed as meeting the HPSS criteria the Department will write to inform you, and you will be invited to select from a range of HPSS Leading Roles.
How much money will Specialist Training Schools receive?
Schools choosing the Training School option, after meeting the High Performing Specialist School criteria at re-designation, will receive £60 per student, with a minimum level of funding of £60,000, up to a maximum of £90,000 - in line with the Specialist School funding agreement (i.e. calculated at a rate of £60 per student up to 1,000 students and over 1,200 students)
The available funding can be used to support the management of the Training School and provide staff cover to enable teachers to devote time to developing best training practice such as mentor training and teaching and learning research. It enables schools to meet with other linked schools and partners. It can also be used to fund training school conferences and to purchase ICT and other equipment necessary to supporting innovative training. Approximately 30% - 50% should be used to support outreach activity.
Can there be clusters/consortia or joint applications to become a Training School?
No. Our expectation is that all Training Schools will work in close partnership with other schools. With High Performing Specialist Schools being given the option of becoming a Training School, joint applications are not applicable.
What is the role of initial teacher training providers and LEAs in the process of becoming a Training School?
All schools should consult their training provider(s) and LEA to discuss training, recruitment and retention strategies for the area that they serve. Schools are also expected to discuss wider area training, recruitment and retention strategies with their LEA and HEI/ITT providers. The application process provides a clear opportunity for schools, ITT providers, and LEAs to work collaboratively in the identification of local need, and planning of training provision in their area.
What happens if a Training School should be identified as having serious weaknesses (SW) or special measures (SM)?
Schools placed in SM or identified as having SW will continue to receive Training School funding for a maximum period of up to one full academic year following the academic year in which the Department receives confirmation of SW/SM from Ofsted. The school will be placed "under review" and they will not be entitled to call themselves a Training School. They will be monitored via Ofsted monitoring reports
Training Schools will be required to ensure that the training school plan is embedded in the school improvement and recovery plans.
Training Schools will be required to ensure that the Training School plan is embedded in the school improvement plan. Training School targets and funding should be clearly identified in the plan, although schools may wish to consider being able to extract a specific Training School plan for operational use.
Training Schools are expected to meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and also to set challenging PIs of their own to measure their progress through the period that they are designated as a Training School.
The Training School programme is jointly managed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the TDA. The Department has the policy lead and the TDA manages the operational support for Training Schools.
