Inspire Learning Teaching School Hub celebrate redesignation as the Liverpool and Wirral hub

Inspire Learning Teaching School Hub (TSH) is delighted to announce that following a successful application to the Department for Education (DfE), it has been redesignated as the hub for Liverpool and Wirral. 

The exciting news comes just three years after the initial designation for the teaching school hubs. Through the work of schools at Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust (HFCMAT) and wider partners, Inspire Learning TSH are proud to be able to continue this important work developing teachers and leaders across the region. 

Since the initial designation on 21 February 2021 and a national rollout that commenced in September 2021, Inspire Learning TSH has made a positive impact on early career teachers (ECTs), teachers, school leaders and, in turn, children across Liverpool and Wirral. 

The Early Careers Framework (ECF) provides a fully funded, two-year package of structured training and support for ECTs. For Inspire Learning TSH, the retention rate from cohort one, 2021 into 2022, was a record high of 93%, exceeding the DfE’s benchmark of 75% by a massive 18%. 

Delivered in partnership with the world-class University College London (UCL), Inspire Learning TSH supports 290 schools and has had over 1,820 Early Careers Framework participants; 1,000 of them are early careers teachers. 

Alongside the ECF, Inspire Learning TSH has delivered National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) to over 450 people. The NPQ programmes at Inspire Learning TSH have been praised by participants for supporting them in developing their skills and confidence and helping them progress professionally. 

The redesignation means that Inspire Learning TSH can continue to build on this impact across four more years. 

Director of Inspire Learning TSH, Jane Kennedy, commented on the joyous news. She said: “We are overjoyed to be redesignated as the hub for Liverpool and Wirral. Over the last two and a half years, we have worked with thousands of participants across the Early Careers Framework and NPQs, supporting participants across the different stages of their teaching career journeys. 

“Our primary goal has always been to improve education for young people, and through our vision of inspired leadership that creates world-class education for all, we utilised partnerships and innovation to deliver the best possible opportunities for teachers and leaders across Liverpool and the Wirral. 

She continued: “Collaboration, aspiration, integrity, and respect is at the heart of Inspire Learning TSH. We are thrilled that we can continue to build on the impact we have already made and help nurture the teachers and leaders of education.”

Jane noted how the NPQ programmes offer a ‘unique gateway into leadership with the ultimate benefit for young people’. 

She said: “Through fostering a culture of continuous growth and skills development in the education sector, we can inspire the teachers we have to inspire the children they teach to want to become a teacher. 

“I am incredibly honoured to work alongside a fantastic team who share our vision and are helping us to touch communities and change lives. 

She added: “I would also like to recognise the individuals who have sought to develop as facilitators, they have actively supported in the development of the workforce middle leaders and are inspiring participants to progress their careers.”

Inspire Learning TSH will continue to act as the designated hub for Liverpool and Wirral until 2028.

In September 2023, Inspire Learning TSH took on the Appropriate Body (AB) role ahead of the full rollout of the Department for Education reforms, which will see local authorities withdraw from the Appropriate Body role and teaching school hubs will become the main provider of AB services. 

As the designated teaching school hub for Liverpool and Wirral, Inspire Learning TSH has a deep-rooted understanding of quality practices. 

“We have fully embraced the DfE/Teaching School Hub Council (TSHC) quality assurance framework and our recent peer review from a mature AB service out of our area demonstrates we are fully meeting the requirements. We are well-placed to be operating as the only Appropriate Body in our area,” Jane commented. 

Inspire Learning TSH forms part of the HFCMAT, with schools within the trust working in close partnership with Inspire.

Andy Moor, CEO of Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust, said:

“We are delighted that Inspire Learning have been redesignated as a Teaching School Hub for Liverpool and Wirral.

“We are extremely proud of the work that has been achieved over the last designation period. Jane and the team have accomplished so much throughout this journey, and I now look forward to building on this great work together over the next four years.” 

“Across HFCMAT, we are passionate about developing the best teachers and leaders to make a difference to the lives of our young people. In partnership with colleagues across the region, we are very excited to share the best practice and continue to build a community where inspiration and aspiration is central to all we do.”