Manchester City Council

Most schools have teachers whose teaching skills are advanced!

They don't often go through an Advanced Skills Teacher (AST) assessment, but colleagues, parents and pupils all know that there is something special about their teaching. They manage and motivate pupils of different abilities, and those with challenging behaviour; their classrooms are evidenced by displays of high quality writing, mathematical and scientific investigations, and eye-catching art. They are invariably generous in their support for colleagues. Those teachers who work as AST have a 20% commitment to 'outreach', working with other schools supporting colleagues and developing more effective and sophisticated teaching and learning strategies. ASTs agree targets with colleagues in outreach schools and are judged against these targets. ASTs report that they learn so much from those with whom they work - a two way process of professional development.

What is an Advanced Skills Teacher?

An Advanced Skills Teacher or AST is an excellent teacher who achieves the highest standards for his/her pupils and who is paid to enable other teachers to increase their capacity to develop excellence. This they do in their own school for four days each week and in other schools on the remaining day.

Manchester's ASTs are determined to make a difference and offer a wide range of support to schools, including:

• Coaching and mentoring for teachers in order to enhance teaching and learning.
• Organisation and delivery of high quality Continuous Professional Development.
• Leadership and innovation in curriculum development and a passion for learning.
• A desire to have a sustainable impact on pupil progress by enhancing the capacity of teachers to develop excellence in themselves and others.
• Work tailored to meet the individual needs of the school in which they are deployed.
• Support for the induction of teachers especially Newly Qualified Teachers.

What does excellent teaching mean?

· High-level skills in teaching, classroom management and maintaining discipline. · High quality of planning, assessment and evaluation. Excellent command of subject knowledge. · Understanding of pupils. High expectations of themselves and their pupils. · Excellent progress of the pupils they teach. · Ability to give high quality advice and support to other teachers.

How are ASTs deployed?

• AST support to schools is agreed between the headteacher and the local authority
• ASTs do not organise their own outreach work but are responsible for marketing themselves through the AST website, AST Newsletter, Pen Portrait, and Line Manager.
• Before beginning work in a school the AST meets with a School Effectiveness Officer and a representative of the school to agree the nature and degree of the support required.
• Team teaching is encouraged and often helps to build confidence and expertise of teachers.
• ASTs are not 'inspectors'. They offer support as a 'supportive professional' in their key role of building the capacity and confidence of teachers through coaching and mentoring.
• There may be times when an AST has to observe a teacher before the providing practical support. This is discussed fully before the lesson where the focus, the purpose and the intended outcome are made clear.
• ASTs demonstrate professionalism in working with colleagues in the receiving school.
• ASTs work hard to facilitate progress towards the project objectives.

Contact Nick Paul, Strategic Lead for Teacher Recruitment, Retention and Development n.paul@manchester.gov.uk