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Tom Campbell

Tom Campbell

Profile

Burleigh Community College, Loughborough
Assistant Principal, Director of Specialism
BSc Hons Psychology Abertay Dundee, PGCE Social Science Leicester
Completed Fast Track: June 2006

"I joined Fast Track Teaching as a middle manager, and left it a senior leader. Even before applying to Fast Track, I had coached school football teams, acted as an NUT representative, visited Norway on a Teacher's International Professional Development trip with the British Council, and held two middle management positions. After just over a year on Fast Track – during which I facilitated a session on leadership in gifted and talented, because of my experience in this area – I took my first leadership role in a new school as assistant principal. I have recently passed the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and am hoping to apply for headship in the next five years.

"Fast Track training is high quality, the support network is invaluable and the programme enriches your professional life. I think the training and discussions with other Fast Track teachers, including via talk2learn, proved useful. For example, when I was researching issues in schools and politics for my MSc in Educational Leadership and Management. It was also helpful to see what other Fast Track teachers were doing in their schools and to link up with those in my region.

"I was very lucky to have two mentors in my school. I worked closely with the principal and vice-principal, who were always available to discuss matters and support me. It was a very open, honest relationship, and I think this is key to good mentoring. They were like critical friends who challenged my thinking – an experience that prepared me for the scrutiny my work as a member of the leadership team now receives.

My Wider School Focus was related to my work as gifted and talented co-ordinator. I had to raise the percentage of A/A* grades in all departments, and the profile of higher education through links with universities, as well as training staff in thinking skills. Once the results began to increase, I successfully applied for Challenge Award status from the National Association for Able Children in Education. The percentage of A/A* grades at the school are now amongst the highest in the county."