Emerging and effective work

in our region’s schools

Work title: Working beyond your own school: what it means to be a system leader’

Lead: David Cotton, NLE; Chris Chafer, Education Consultant

Contact email address: ;;

Work Summary
Nearly every teacher that I have met comes into the profession to make a difference to the lives of children within their classrooms or schools. Being a systems leader takes this opportunity to a new level across a wider education system. During this workshop, I will share my journey to becoming a National Leader of Education and the impact this role has had on the lives of a significant number of children. We will also spend time in groups discussing “what it means to be a system leader” and have an opportunity to share experiences of what has worked well. There will also be an opportunity for you to look at your current journey as a systems leader and consider what you might need to do to become an SLE, LLE, NLE, NLG or just collaborate with other schools.
In our case study and workshop, we will give you insight into what it is to be a National Leader of Education (NLE); the role itself; living it day to day; and how to become one.
  • NLEs are strong school leaders, who have experience of effectively supporting schools in challenging circumstances. They work alongside teaching schools and other system leaders to give high quality support to schools identified as needing significant improvement (i.e. by the DFE, Ofsted, a teaching school, a regional schools commissioner, local authority or diocese)
  • If you’re selected as an NLE, your school becomes a national support school (NSS), acknowledging that your staff are likely to work alongside you in any support you may provide. The length and type of work can vary a lot, depending on the needs of the supported school/staff
  • To become an NLE, you and your school need to meet specific criteria; it’s a good idea to look at the online information and application form:-
Teaching Schools and system leadership; how you can get involved: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/teaching-schools-and-system-leadership-how-you-can-get-involved
About the NLE role: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-leaders-of-education-a-guide-for-potential-applicants
Application guidance:
Eligibility criteria:
The NLE help desk can answer questions for you, at or phone 0800 0850984 (open Monday - Friday 9am – 5pm)
  • The next application round will be in the autumn term; there are normally 2-3 application rounds a year

What areas were particularly successful
The most successful part of being a systems leader is when the impact/outcomes are very clear before any work begins and this impact is delivered. The workshopwill discuss a number of examples where standards have been improved as a direct result of system leadership. This will be looked at in a context of supporting a school where you have no direct line of accountability to that school. There will be an opportunity to discuss successful projects in a context where a system leader may not have “the teeth” of a traditional school structure.
Lessons learnt
I have found that system leadership works best when this is in complete agreement with the partner school around how the project will be delivered and its outcomes. This type of work needs leaders to weara different “hat” to that of a school leader in their own context or working across a MAT with your own group of schools. All leaders want to improve their schools, and improve the life chances of children in their care, so “rules of engagement” are key.
During the workshop, there will be an opportunity to share lessons around the room regarding system leadership. The discussion will be facilitated by some lessons learnt from my work as an NLE.
Cost implications
National College provides an annual bursary (6K) that can be used to cover the costs of the NSS.

Please return your completed form by Friday 24TH March to

If you have any questions please contact Ellen Lee on the email above or on 0116 299 5940 / 07854038899.