Inspiring leaders; improving children's lives

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Pat Stalker

Head of Science and Learning Mentor, Samuel Ward Upper School and Technology College, Suffolk
Joined Fast Track 2004

"Being part of Fast Track, and having 15 years in industry behind me, the next obvious step in my development was the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Through challenging leadership courses and wider school roles, Fast Track is helping me prepare for this. We decided that my Wider School Focus would be to embed learning mentor as a role. We bucked the trend slightly because we wanted to use teachers rather than people from outside. I am now continuing with this as my Wider School Focus.

I had several other projects which gave me a great insight into different aspects of the school and local community. One in particular was working on whole school and every child assessment, utilising both Fischer Family Trust and demographic data to effectively access and improve teaching and learning. Implementing such changes and witnessing the positive impact on pupils' learning is very motivating.

Fast Track develops staff who show leadership qualities both in and out of the classroom. The opportunity to attend the best courses available is extremely rewarding. For schools and teachers alike, it's a win-win situation. The recruitment programme is rigorous but, with the encouragement of my school's management team, I made it. There is a lot of extra work but it's the support that gets you through.

One highlight for me is that I get to meet very talented teachers and leaders who are just as passionate about the profession as I am. It's a hugely positive experience and I am thrilled and fortunate to be part of it. I have just found out that I passed the school assessment part of NPQH. Fast Track undoubtedly contributed because it gives you such a valuable wider school perspective."