AN ACADEMY in Croydon has been selected to help train the next generation of teachers.
West Thornton Primary Academy, in Rosecourt Road, has been chosen to become a teaching school.
The school has been picked for the prestigious role by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL).
Teaching schools take a leading role in recruiting and training newly qualified teachers, identifying leadership potential and providing support for other schools.
West Thornton is one of 200 schools in England to be awarded the status in the latest round of designations.
To qualify, schools must be rated as 'outstanding' by Ofsted, a grade West Thornton earned in 2012.
They work with partner schools, including at least one university, to ensure professional development opportunities for teachers at all stages of their careers.
Stuart Roberts, the executive head of West Thornton, himself recognised as one of the leading heads in the country, welcomed the accreditation.
"This is fantastic news and great acknowledgement of the hard work that staff and governors have put into ensuring we have grown and developed since our Ofsted in 2012," he told the Advertiser.
"We are really looking forward to providing exciting and cutting edge professional development and training the next generation of outstanding teachers."
Charlie Taylor, chief executive of NCTL, said: "West Thornton should be very proud of their teaching school status.
"It recognises the academy's outstanding performance and its track record of raising standards through supporting other schools."
