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Fast Track Teaching residential training courses brochure 2008-09 (pdf, 1.56Mb, 40 pages)

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Tesca Bennett

Head of Science, Bishop Thomas Grant School, Lambeth
Joined Fast Track September 2003

"Teaching wasn't my first profession, so I liked the fact that Fast Track took my previous skills and experience into consideration. It offered tailored professional development and, so far, that's exactly what I've received. They were thorough in identifying my abilities and have continually helped me to enhance them. I've attended several residential courses including 'Developing the urban leader'. I also facilitate training sessions for new Fast Track teachers and their mentors.

It is always great talking with other Fast Track teachers and hearing what they are doing. I come back to my school full of enthusiasm and ideas – often with course materials I can share with colleagues. Since the residential course, I have focused on developing skills to assist and enable others. I have planned and implemented departmental INSET training, and assisted in whole school projects. I was also a member of a team of five who won a total of £20,000 for Crown Woods School in the first Rolls-Royce Science Prize.

I have developed an excellent relationship with my personal leadership tutor. She helps me focus and provides a point of contact to network with other Fast Track teachers, which is especially useful if they have a similar Wider School Focus or are working on something I might be able to adapt to my school. I have used talk2learn a lot while completing a course with NCSL and the Institute of Education. The views of everyone from newly qualified teachers to heads give you different perspectives on education leadership.

With one year left on the programme, I have just given a presentation to NCSL on succession planning, enrolled on Leadership Pathways and joined the Tomorrow's leaders today project. That's particularly interesting because now I'm mixing with heads and aspiring heads, which again offers me the chance to share ideas with colleagues who have the same issues and ambitions."