Amy Mayell and Louise Maloney win national prize

Sir John Dunford, Amy Mayell, Louise Maloney, Sean Catford, Pearson UK Schools Sales Director

Amy Mayell, Head of English, and Louise Maloney, Head of Expressive Arts, at St Cuthbert’s RC High School, Rochdale are amongst a pioneering group of teachers working in challenging schools across the North of England who have graduated from TL Fellows.

Ms Mayell and Ms Maloney worked together to raise attainment in English and literacy across St Cuthbert’s.

Whilst on the programme, they ran a rigorous two year project, targeting groups of pupils with specific support, ensuring that they achieved remarkable success. In summer 2015, 79% of their pupils achieved A*-C in English GCSE– the highest performing department in their school.

St Cuthbert’s RC High School is part of the Rochdale Pioneers Trust, a co-operative Trust of 15 schools and partners including the Local Authority that launched in September 2012. The Trust works to ensure all young people across the area have access to a high quality education.

Ms Maloney said: “Winning the Pearson prize feels like a validation of everything that Amy and I have achieved together. It means that those pupils we identified have a much better chance of building a successful adult life and this underlines why teaching is such an important and rewarding job. Having Amy on the programme allowed us to develop a close bond which created honest communication and a shared desire to succeed.”

Amy says of the Teaching Leaders Fellows programme: “There were so many benefits particularly the outstanding week-long residential at the start of the programme, and the opportunity to establish professional relationships with others in similar roles at similar schools.”

Dr Meehan, Headteacher, St Cuthbert’s RC High School, said: “I am so proud of the teachers and leaders we have here at St Cuthbert’s. Amy and Louise personify the commitment, skill and professionalism that makes our teachers very special. Both lead their teams with energy, flair and total dedication, which in turn leads to better outcomes for our students and increases their life chances. Completing the Teaching Leaders Fellows Programme has developed their leadership skills to the benefit of their colleagues and students.”

TL Fellows is the leadership development programme run by national education charity, Teaching Leaders and funded by the Department for Education.

Talented teachers in their early stages of leadership go through a rigorous assessment process before embarking on a challenging two year programme, which takes place outside school time.

Prizes, sponsored by Pearson, are awarded to those middle leaders who have shown outstanding commitment and made the greatest impact on pupil achievement.