Introduction

Since new Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) and Local Leader of Education (LLE) designations ceased, there has been a gap in recognising and celebrating some of the very best teachers and leaders that have the expertise and capacity to support their peers within and beyond their own school.

We want to address this by talent spotting expert teachers and leaders to facilitate our National Teacher Development Programmes: the National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) and Early Career Framework-based training.

Successful applicants will be recognised as a 'Visiting Fellow' and will join our pool of Teacher Educators to deliver National Teacher Development programmes in partnership with Ambition Institute.

Visiting Fellow Person Specification ECF/NPQ

Visiting Fellows are integral to the implementation of National Programmes in our local context. We are seeking highly experienced teacher educators to become trained facilitators who have the following credentials:

• Qualified to teach in the UK (hold QTS)
• Experienced teacher educator at school and/or MAT level
• Held a leadership role in a school
• Expert Teacher/ Leader rooted in practice
• Track record of excellent teaching and delivering exceptional outcomes in a similar context of the schools they are supporting. E.g. pupils with low prior attainment or schools with above national average levels of pupil premium
• Strong understanding of best practice in teaching and learning
• Good understanding of and commitment to the Early Career Framework
• Experience in early career teacher and mentor training and development, including developing coaching and mentoring
• Leadership experience in an area relevant to specific NPQ Framework

We welcome representation and experience from all settings; Early Years, Secondary, Primary, Special and Alternative Provision.

Why become a Visiting Fellow

As an expert teacher or leader, the opportunity to deliver on a national programme is a hugely positive professional experience. As a Visiting Fellow, you become part of Ambition Institute’s faculty of leading experts in teacher education. This will give you access to the very latest thinking and cutting-edge research on effective professional development.

Through the delivery DfE endorsed evidenced based programmes, Visiting Fellows are key Teacher Educators that drive and support the professional development of the next generation of teachers and leaders. This in turn fulfils our moral imperative to improve the quality of education pupils receive, and pupil outcomes. 

Schools are funded for the time given to preparation and delivery.

Training and Support

The role of a visiting fellow is designed to be an excellent professional development opportunity, so you can benefit from the programme too. Visiting Fellows need to complete training with Ambition Institute (online) to confirm their designation and have access to the following ongoing, high-quality training and support:

• Initial induction training will introduce you to the latest thinking on how to support teacher and leadership development. (1.5 days online)
• Online learning to enable you to deep dive into aspects of facilitation to develop your skills and support you to deliver National Programmes.
• Top up training
• Access to networks with other Teacher Educators
• Opportunities to complete peer on peer observations of colleagues
• Feedback to help improve and develop your practice
• Evidence based curriculum that is brought to life through your expertise and context
• Resources to support high quality delivery

Training is not funded (i.e. training is free, but the applicant would need to be released by their school/trust).  

Visiting Fellows Delivery

Within a programme Visiting Fellows are expected to deliver a full day face to face conferences and a series of 1 to 2 hours virtual Clinics. Below is an overview and more information about the programmes we deliver at a local level.

• Early Career Teachers' Programme - delivered to both Mentors and Early Career Teachers

 

• Specialist NPQ programmes
• National Professional Qualification for Leading Literacy (NPQLL)
• National Professional Qualification for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC)
• National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching (NPQLT)
• National Professional Qualification for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLT)

 

• Leadership NPQ programmes
• National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)
• National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL)
• National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH)

How to apply

*EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST NEED TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE 20TH OF JUNE

The number of Visiting Fellows we deploy to deliver programmes depends on the number of aspiring and established leaders that register for our NPQs in the Autumn and Spring terms and the number of ECTs and Mentors that access our ECF-based training offer.

Applications are welcomed from expert teachers and leaders employed in local and partner schools and trusts with significant teacher educator experience. 

Applicant should be familiar with the programme for which they are applying to be a Visiting Fellow. This includes the associated framework, the principles of the Ambition Institute designed programme, and associated research and practice.

Applicants need to secure the support of their headteacher (or similar) - the most senior person in their organisation - before applying.

A short online application form must be completed:

• Apply for Early Career Framework Visiting Fellow designation
• Apply for National Professional Qualification Visiting Fellow designation

We ask that your headteacher (or similar) - the most senior person in your organisation - to complete a short reference to support your application using the links below:

• Provide a reference for an Early Career Framework Visiting Fellow applicant
• Provide a reference for a National Professional Qualification Visiting Fellow applicant

Applications will not be considered until we receive the application form and reference.

Short-listed applicants will be invited to a short meeting to discuss their application (20-30 minutes).

The outcome will be communicated to the participant within a week of their application. A successful outcome does not guarantee deployment, for the reasons set out above. The outcome of the application is final.

Exceed Academies Trust and its academies fully understand the principles of the Equality Act 2010 and the work needed to ensure that those with protected characteristics are not discriminated against and are given equal opportunities.

Thank you for your interest and good luck!

Contact details

ECF Visiting Fellows: ect@exceedcademiestrust.co.uk

NPQ Visiting Fellows: npq@exceedacademiestrust.co.uk