A PROGRAMME aimed at developing leaders of the future has gained national recognition.

Malton Primary School has put together a professional development package for its staff, which has seen former deputy head Alex Reppold become one of the country’s youngest headteachers at Pocklington Juniors.

Kelly Wilkinson, headteacher at Malton primary, said there was a desire among staff to improve, retrain and develop, which came from a genuine aspiration to progress in their careers.

“As teachers and leaders we can be very self-critical, we can get little formal recognition for our victories and seldom stop to celebrate our expertise,” she said.

“It’s only when we stop and reflect we realise how well we have done. Reflecting on practice is a luxury and one teachers at Malton primary can afford. It takes place on the job, supported by a series of professional development workshops and training sessions.”

Miss Wilkinson, who became acting head at Malton aged 28, said she had presented the school’s approach at the Yorkshire and Humber Teaching School Alliance Conference in Nottingham, followed by a second conference in March, and had since been approached by a National Teaching School in Hull to lead a continued professional development programme.

“Becoming a headteacher at such a young age myself has ensured I see the huge potential of other staff in the early stages of their careers,” she said.

“Talent spotting and developing middle and senior leaders is something I am passionate about. I seek out top quality consultancy, use the school’s outstanding and experienced leaders to coach and mentor new leaders and collaborate with other schools to get the best out of people.

“Providing highly-effective feedback as part of this process is essential and providing individuals with time to develop is equally vital. I believe in the power of leading by example. True leadership lies in guiding others to success.”

Miss Wilkinson said the school had now got its own leaders, with Year 6 teacher Ben Brown being promoted to deputy head, Claire Brockway to leader for research and recently-qualified teacher Philip Hardcastle to senior leadership.