Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to ensure the sustainability of designated teaching schools when funding is withdrawn due to a non-exceptional Ofsted inspection.

Teaching schools are outstanding schools which work with others to provide high-quality training and support in their area and make an important contribution to raising standards in schools. There are currently 691 designated teaching schools working with over 500 school partnerships (‘alliances’) across England. The government recognises the commitment and hard work of the headteachers and staff at these schools and the contribution they make.

To ensure that teaching schools continue to deliver high-quality support, the National College for Teaching and Leadership undertakes a review of teaching schools whenever circumstances change, including when an Ofsted inspection results in the school no longer being judged to be outstanding.

The review is undertaken in accordance with the ‘teaching schools review of designation policy’, published on GOV.UK at:
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/384358/teaching-school-rod-policy.pdf

Over 100 alliances are led by more than one teaching school, further strengthening the sustainability of their support.