Paul Jones, Executive Headteacher has been asked to become a National Leader of Education by the National College for School Leadership.
The First Federation has also been designated as National Support Schools which means staff can pass on their knowledge and expertise to colleagues in schools in difficult circumstances. Paul is one of only 100 heads to be selected from across the country. Last year he was awarded the OBE for his services to education.
Paul said: "I'm delighted to be chosen to be a National Leader of Education. It is also a real honour for the schools within the First Federation to be identified as National Support Schools. It is a testament to the quality and professionalism of our staff across the federation".
The First Federation is Devon's biggest federation and is led by Paul Jones as the Executive Headteacher and each school has its own Head of Teaching and Learning. Paul said: " the First Federation was providing tremendous opportunities for all five schools to develop the work they do together to benefit the 660 children on roll. Each school retains its individual identity and ethos but benefits from being part of a larger organisation through which improved teaching and learning, exciting staff development opportunities, and business economies of scale have a positive impact on all the children's learning.
One key example of this is that within the Federation there are a number os specialist teachers and support staff who can work across all the schools, enabling a degree of specialism that would not normally be available to smaller, individual schools.
The First Federation has always been about school to school support and the new models of school leadership, systems and structures we have put into place are ideally suited to support all types of schools including those in difficult circumstances.
We all entered teaching to make a difference for all children and it is humbling to see what a difference high class teachers, business managers, administrators and learning support assistants can make to children's lives.
It is this team of dedicated people which has been recognised and we look forward to helping to support teaching and learning and leadership at every level.