Teaching Schools and system leaders support the Department for Education’s goal to provide educational excellence everywhere so that every child and young person can access high-quality provision, achieving to the best of their ability regardless of location, prior attainment and background.

SLEs act as ‘system leaders’ and play an increasingly important part in leading and developing the school system. They are outstanding middle or senior leaders with at least two years’ experience in their field of expertise.They have the capacity and commitment to support middle and senior leaders in other schools. They understand what outstanding leadership practice in their area of specialism looks like and are skilled in helping other leaders achieve it in their own context.

They successfully use coaching and/or facilitation skills to bring about sustainable improvements and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. SLEs have both an analytical approach in identifying and prioritising needs and also the ability to set and establish new and innovative working practices. In addition one of their prime skills is the ability to grow leadership capacity in others.

Regardless of the type of support delivered, the ultimate aim of SLEs will always be to contribute significantly to improving the outcomes for children through developing the capacity of peer leaders in other schools. SLEs also play a key role in the future development of schools by identifying outstanding future leaders. 

Nationally there are currently over 7,300 designated SLEs.

West Herts Teaching School currently have 22 SLEs with a wealth of experience