THE headteacher and staff at Stourfield Infant School (Academy) have been selected for a top role supporting schools in challenging circumstances.

Catherine Kirkham is one of only 96 heads across the country to be appointed to the role of National Leader of Education (NLE) in the latest recruitment round.

She will now be invited to the National College for Teaching and Leadership’s learning and conference centre in Nottingham in October for a formal induction and training for the role in driving school improvement.

NLEs use their success and professionalism as school leaders, along with the staff in their school - designated a National Support School - to provide additional leadership capability in struggling schools or those in transition to Federation or Academy status.

The type of support provided is flexible and can involve NLEs becoming acting or executive Headteacher of the client school or schools.

They also have responsibility for bringing on the next generation of NLEs and National Support Schools.

Mrs Kirkham said: “We are delighted to be a National Support School because we are committed to school-to-school work, for the benefit of our own children and those in other schools”.

Many in the National Leaders of Education/National Support Schools scheme see improvements in exam results at both the support and client schools with progress achieved in excess of the improvements nationally.

There are now well over 800 NLEs across the country and the number is set to rise to about 1,000 by 2015. Charlie Taylor, chief executive of the National College for Teaching and Leadership, said: “It’s great that heads like Mrs Kirkham are willing to look beyond their own school gates to help more pupils achieve.

"Their efforts will be at the heart of a self-improving, school-led education system”.