Downing Street reward

Mar 7 2008 by Hazel Ettienne, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A HUDDERSFIELD headteacher visited Downing Street in recognition of her exceptional school leadership.

Hawa Bibi Laher from Spring Grove Junior, Infant and Nursery School was among 90 school leaders who met Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Ed Balls, the secretary of state for children, schools and families at a reception.

Mrs Laher was named as a National Leader in Education last year and Spring Grove as a National Support School last September. The scheme aims to get NLEs to use their success and professionalism as school leaders to provide additional leadership capacity to struggling schools.

Toby Salt, NCSLs strategic director of school leadership development said: “I am so proud that these school leaders are being honoured in this way. NLE’s supported by their schools are working extremely hard to ensure that school leadership and the best possible opportunities are available to as many children as possible.

“More than 30,000 children have now benefited from the scheme, and the grades at supported schools have seen unquestionable improvements. This is thanks to the dedication of all those involved in our National Support School scheme.”