THE headteacher and staff at a Chester school have been selected for top roles supporting schools in challenging circumstances and training new teachers.

Jane Hughes, headteacher at Dorin Park School in Upton, is one of more than 50 headteachers to be appointed to the role of national leader of education (NLE) in the latest recruitment round.

National leaders of education along with staff in their school – appointed as national support schools – use their knowledge and experience to provide additional leadership capability in other schools in need of support.

The type of support provided is flexible and tailored to meet the needs of each individual school. National leaders of education also have responsibility for developing the next generation of NLEs and national support schools.

Jane Hughes said: “I am delighted that Dorin Park’s work in supporting other schools has been recognised in this way. SEND (special educational needs and disability) support for other schools is an important part of our mission and Dorin Park provides outreach to a range of schools as well as supporting schools developing their leadership capacity.”

The Department for Education (DfE) has responsibility for the appointment of NLEs and the quality of the NLE programme. There are now more than 1,250 NLEs across England.

Lord Agnew, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the School System, said: “I’d like to congratulate Jane Hughes and Dorin Park on being appointed as a national leader of education and national support school. They should be very proud of this achievement.

“National leaders of education are supporting other schools and developing the next generation of leaders.“

Successful headteachers will be invited to attend a regional induction event.