1. Can I still apply to the Fast Track programme?
The final deadline for applications to the Fast Track programme was 30 March 2008. There will be no further recruitment to Fast Track teaching.
1. What will Fast Track provision be like in the academic year 2008-09?
Fast Track teachers will continue to receive a range of bespoke professional development opportunities tailored to individual development needs in addition to face-to-face support, providing high quality coaching and mentoring, from the personal leadership tutor and in-school mentor. This year, the residential training course provision has been expanded. Most Fast Track teachers will have the opportunity to attend either a two-day or three-day residential course, or two one-day residential courses. Those Fast Track teachers in their fifth year on the programme will have the opportunity to attend a specially designed one-and-a-half day course. For more information, please refer to the Fast Track events.
2. What support is available throughout the Fast Track programme?
The programme will be based around the following development opportunities and support structures:
3. What is the overall time commitment for this programme?
Professional development events either take place during school term or during holidays. Coaching sessions take place during school hours. For further information, please see the programme structure outline. There is an expectation that Fast Track teachers will make full use of the opportunities that Fast Track provides.
4. Can I take a career break whilst on the programme?
In this final year of Fast Track provision, applications for breaks will be considered on a case-by-case basis, although provision will not be extended to take account of the period of leave.
5. Are there any assessed activities or pieces of work?
All Fast Track teachers are required to agree an objective with a Wider School Focus, which will enhance their management and leadership skills and contribute to the development needs of their school. This will need to be agreed between the Fast Track teacher, their headteacher and their in-school Fast Track mentor.
6. Can the Fast Track programme contribute any credit towards an MA?
Fast track is a personalised programme of professional development which aims to support teachers in achieving a SLT role within five years, however the experience you gain on the programme can't be transferred directly into points for an MA.
7. Will I receive any form of accreditation for completing the programme?
Whilst Fast Track is not accredited and will not directly contribute to a post graduate qualification, it does provide a range of professional development opportunities for perspective senior leaders in education.
2. What does the role of the in-school mentor involve?
The role of the in-school mentor in supporting Fast Track teachers involves:
3. What is the level of participation by my in-school mentor? Is there any training or development for my coach?
See the list above, also further details around the role of the in-school mentor is available on the Fast Track Teaching DVD-ROM and in the Fast Track handbook.
1. How do I access the online communities and materials?
On joining the programme, Fast Track teachers are sent a talk2learn introduction pack with details of their login and password. Fast Track teachers can access the Learning Gateway by logging in above. This will take them to the login page. The required username and password can be found in the introduction pack. Once Fast Track teachers have logged in, they will be able to access talk2learn and then the Fast Track community. If Fast Track teachers have difficulty logging in, they should contact the NCSL help desk on 0845 609 0009.
2. Do I have to use the online facilities?
talk2learn is NCSL's online community learning environment - a network of communities which is open to a wide range of school leaders and provides access to a confidential and extensive network on colleagues, experts and policy makers. Fast Track has a dedicated community within talk2learn and this is a central component of Fast Track's professional development provision.
With all elements of the Fast Track professional development provision, there is an expectation that Fast Track teachers will make full use of the opportunities that are offered. As part of this expectation, Fast Track teachers should regularly log on to talk2learn and actively participate in dialogue and online activities. Learning journals should be updated at least once a week.
3. Where can I get technical support for problems with online materials/access?
If Fast Track teachers have difficulty logging in, they should contact the NCSL help desk on 0845 609 0009 or by email at enquiries@ncsl.org.uk.
4. Can I use the materials afterwards in my school setting?
Fast Track teachers are welcome to pass on the knowledge they gain from residential training courses within their school setting subject to the normal restrictions of copyright.
5. What other programmes, events or resources are available to me in this area?
NCSL has a number of research papers and publications on school leadership. Below is a document containing a selected list of recommended publications and papers, many of which are available on the publications pages.
1. How much does this programme cost?
The programme is fully funded by NCSL. There is no charge for any of the materials or professional development activities on the programme.
2. Can I claim for the costs of supply cover and travel when I attend the programme?
Only candidates from small schools (schools with 100 or fewer pupils of statutory school age on their last PLASC return) are entitled to claim for travel and supply costs incurred from attending residential courses. See the relevant Fast Track small schools travel and supply policy below.
1. Are there any other related opportunities available to me?
NCSL seeks to support the continued career progression of Fast Track teachers by providing professional development opportunities and events throughout their career.
Visit www.ncsl.org.uk/programmes for full details of all NCSL programmes.
For details on NCSL regional conferences and events please, visit www.ncsl.org.uk/region-index.
2. How can I become a facilitator on this programme?
Fast Track teachers are supported by personal leadership tutors. To become a tutor, we would expect that you have significant senior leadership experience in a school. Please contact CfBT for more details on 0845 604 5921.
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