Thorpe St Andrew School gets key role in future of Norfolk education

Norfolk's biggest school has been given a leading role in recruiting and training new teachers, identifying potential school leaders, and supporting other schools.

Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form has become a national teaching school five months after Ofsted rated it 'outstanding'.

It becomes the fifth teaching school in Norfolk, and only the second high school with the status, together with Ormiston Venture Academy in Gorleston.

Introduced in 2011, teaching schools work with partner schools in an alliance to ensure high-quality, school-led initial teacher training and professional development opportunities for teachers at all stages of their career.

They raise standards through school-to-school support, engage in research and development, and ensure that the most talented school leaders are spotted and supported so that they are able to become successful headteachers.

Thorpe St Andrew principal Ian Clayton, said: 'We are very proud to be selected for this role, based upon a clear and sustainable record that has led the school to outstanding. This opportunity is a continuation of the already extensive work we undertake in teacher training and in our support for Norfolk secondary schools.

'Our team is looking forward to working in a strong partnership that already exists with the other Norfolk teaching schools. It will also provide opportunities to work out of county, to share and bring back best practice to all Norfolk schools.

'This is an outstanding achievement for Thorpe St Andrew students and all young people in Norfolk.'