MP for Pendle, Andrew Stephenson has expressed his support for an educational programme which looks to improve pupil attainment and professional development for teachers in Lancashire.
Run by educational charity, Education Development Trust in partnership with the Chartered College of Teaching, the Accelerate programme will provide free training and support to teachers in their first five years of teaching as part of a Government drive to improve pupil attainment and keep talented teachers within the profession.
Pendle has been identified by the Department for Education as a priority area which means it can access funding to eradicate persistent underperformance in schools. Accelerate will help to tackle problems faced in the county by providing new teachers with specialist support to help them face common challenges, rapidly improve their teaching skills and provide a strong network of peers across the region, supported by a coach.
Mr Stephenson recently heard about this programme and was pleased to learn about the investment being made in teachers and schools in his constituency.
Speaking about the programme, Mr Stephenson said: “I am delighted that Accelerate is being brought to Pendle and think this is an excellent opportunity for local teachers at an early stage in their career. It’s completely free of charge and I would therefore encourage schools and teachers in my constituency and across Lancashire to sign up for this unique programme.”
Matt Davis, Regional Director UK, Education Development Trust said: “Education Development Trust is delighted to be delivering Accelerate across Lancashire. Informed by our extensive programme of educational research, the scheme will help support and motivate teachers at the start of their careers, helping to deliver improvements for schools, and most importantly, children across the country. I call on more schools in the county to sign up to this exciting initiative”.
The scheme will begin in the early part of the spring term 2019 and teachers and heads across Daventry are being encouraged to sign up now as places are limited. The four-term programme includes a residential training event, workshops, expert coaching and online training materials, tailored to different subject areas and phases.
