A PRIMARY headteacher in St Albans has been chosen for a top role supporting schools in challenging circumstances.

Amanda Godfrey, head of Mandeville School in Mandeville Drive, is one of the latest headteachers to be appointed to the role of National Leader of Education (NLE) following an announcement that the support scheme at the school is to be expanded.

She is one of only 100 heads to be selected from across the country and to mark the occasion she will undertake formal induction and training for the role in driving school improvement at the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children’s Services which runs the Mandeville support scheme.

NLEs use their success and professionalism as school leaders along with the staff in their school – designated a National Support School – to provide additional leadership capability in struggling schools or those in transition to federation or academy status.

The deployment is tailor made to suit the needs of each school and NLEs can become acting or executive headteacher of the client school or schools.

Amanda said: “I am delighted and extremely proud that Mandeville School has been selected for this important role.

“Everyone at Mandeville is committed to making a difference to children’s lives and we work hard to ensure that every child makes good progress to be the best they can be.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to share our ethos, skills and knowledge with other schools.”

Her new role will not take her away from the school for long periods and she will remain a very hands-on headteacher.

Mandeville is one of several schools in the St Albans district which has agreed to expand its admission numbers to help cope with the shortfall of primary places in the city centre.