Download a copy of the Fast Track newsletter, Headteacher news (pdf, 3.8MB, 4 pages).
Fast Track trio take on school – an article about a senior leadership team of Fast Track teachers.
The application deadline for recruitment onto the Fast Track Teaching programme for academic year 2008-09 has now passed. No further recruitment will take place.
A new accelerated leadership provision designed to meet the changing needs and challenges of leadership in today's schools will replace the current Fast Track Teaching model from September 2009.
For further information on the new accelerated leadership provision and to download a copy of the frequently asked questions visit the Fast Track Teaching home page.
Before beginning an application, teachers are advised that they will need to have the full support of their headteacher. The headteacher or member of the senior management team must also be able to comment objectively on an applicant's suitability for the Fast Track programme, and on the evidence given in their application.
The Fast Track selection process is designed to assess a teacher's suitability for the programme. The selection process focuses on the assesment of Fast Track competencies and values. The process has five stages.
Before completing an application form, teachers must first have completed an online self-assessment questionnaire. The questionnaire formed part of the selection process to Fast Track though applications were not sifted out on the basis of the results.
The self-assessment questionnaire was designed to help teachers think through how suited they are for Fast Track Teaching. The scenarios in the questionnaire gave examples of actual activities in which Fast Track teachers are involved. These give a realistic preview of the role of a Fast Track teacher.
The feedback generated from responses to the questionnaire helped teachers to consider how they would enjoy and be suited to the Fast Track programme. Thereby informing their decision about whether to apply to join the programme.
The application form consisted of a combination of personal details regarding the teacher and their school, and a series of competency-based questions designed to assess against Fast Track competencies and values.
A reference from a member of the school's senior management team must also have been secured. The reference formed an important part of the application - without the necessary commitment and support within a school, teachers were unable to make the most of the challenges and opportunities brought by the Fast Track Teaching programme's partnership approach to developing senior leaders.
Teachers who are successful at application stage progress to a day-long assessment centre. Centres are held across the country. The centres comprise a number of activities based on the competencies and values, enabling assessors to gain a more comprehensive insight into the teacher's suitability for the programme. Detailed briefing materials are sent out prior to attendance.
Within 24 hours of successfully completing all the assessment stages, teachers are offered places on the Fast Track Teaching programme, subject to certain checks. A confirmation that teachers are registered with the General Teaching Council for England is also essential before offers are made.
Following acceptance of a place on Fast Track, teachers receive a welcome pack with information on the programme. Teachers are asked for details of their school so the central support team can send the school a form to register Fast Track teachers' posts. Once this has been done, a personal leadership tutor (PLT) is allocated to the teacher.
On receipt of the completed form, the central support team will confirm with the school that the post is registered as a Fast Track position. The headteacher will then receive confirmation of the post's registration and a personal leadership tutor (PLT) will be allocated to the teacher. The PLT will contact the teacher to arrange a set-up visit once they have started on the programme.
Following acceptance of a place on Fast Track, teachers receive a welcome pack with information on the programme. Teachers are asked for details of their school so the central support team can send the school a form to register Fast Track teachers' posts. Once this has been done, a personal leadership tutor (PLT) is allocated to the teacher and contacts them to arrange a set-up visit.
On receipt of the completed questionnaire, the central support team will contact the teacher's school to register the post as a Fast Track position. The headteacher will then receive confirmation of the post's registration and a PLT will be allocated to the teacher. The PLT will then contact the teacher to arrange the set-up visit.
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