THE HEADTEACHER at a Marlow school has been selected for a top role supporting schools facing challenging circumstances.

Peter Holding, of Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, is one of only 144 headteachers to be appointed a National Leader of Education (NLE) in the latest recruitment round.

He will use use his track record of success and professionalism as a school leader to provide leadership, support and advice to other schools in need of help.

And Borlase has also been named a National Support School, which will see other teachers and staff providing assistance to struggling schools.

Dr Holding said: "I’m delighted to receive this recognition on behalf of the school. As a National Support School we will have the opportunity to work closely with other schools, locally and further afield, which will benefit our own staff immensely.

"It is wonderful to receive recognition for all of the outstanding work being done across the school."

The scheme is tailor-made to suit the needs of each school in need of support, or those in transition to federation or academy status.

The type of help provided is flexible and can involve NLEs becoming acting or executive headteacher of those in transition.

For instance, Wye Valley School in Bourne End, which was placed into special measures last year, had help from successful Wycombe High School last year.

And after providing staff support, assistant head of the girls' school Andrea Jacobson made the switch to take on the headship at the struggling school, which is now undergoing a transformation to an academy.

Schools chosen also have responsibility for bringing on the next generation of NLEs and National Support Schools.

Dr Holding is also the Chairman of Trustees at Buckinghamshire Learning Trust, and was previously a Trustee at the National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE).

Many who are involved with the scheme report improved exam results at the schools they support, as well as their own.

Charlie Taylor, Chief Executive of the National College for Teaching and Leadership, said: "It’s great that heads like Peter are willing to look beyond their own school gates to help more and more pupils achieve.

"We now have over 1000 National Leaders of Education and their efforts are at the heart of a self-improving, school-led education system.

"School-to-school support is having a growing impact and the results speak for themselves with benefits for both the schools being supported and those providing the support."

Successful heads will be invited to attend a formal induction and training for the role in driving school improvement.

Dr Holding took up the headship at Borlase in 1998 and has overseen a successful period in the school’s history, which dates back to 1624.

He was at the helm when Borlase became a specialist performing rights school, as well as when it made the transformation into an academy in 2011.