Teachers helping to promote a positive city image
A NEW package of support for teachers in Bradford is being launched to help recruit, retain and develop staff in its schools as part of an ongoing drive to turn around negative perceptions of the city.
The Bradford Dividend will offer reimbursements for eligible teachers’ student loan payments, provide funding for teachers to take national leadership qualifications and offer opportunities for professional development.
The package is being launched tomorrow by the Bradford for Teaching recruitment campaign, which is being backed by the city council.
The Bradford Dividend has been made possible due to the district being selected to be an Opportunity Area, a Government programme to boost social mobility through education.
As a result, eligible teachers can qualify for scholarships to take qualifications and to receive loan reimbursements.
The Opportunity Area programme has also seen the creation of the Bradford Research School, which will help to support the professional development of teachers.
The Bradford for Teaching campaign was launched earlier this year to recruit and retain talented teachers in the district. The online campaign includes a website – www.bradfordteaching.org – which allows people to find out more about opportunities to work and train in the area’s schools.
The site also promotes the work of Bradford for Teaching Ambassadors, a group of inspirational teachers and leaders whose stories are being shared through social media to attract more in the profession to the district. The first 10 ambassadors were chosen from Bradford secondary schools and at tomorrow’s event, 10 new ambassadors from the city’s primaries will be unveiled.
Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s executive member for education, employment and skills, said: “The launch of the Bradford Dividend helps us to demonstrate that we recognise the importance of teachers here in Bradford and we are going to invest in helping them to work here. This package of support and the brilliant Bradford for Teaching campaign will help us to get the message out that if you are passionate about teaching and making a real difference to children’s lives then Bradford is the place for you.”
Bradford Council has committed to investing £660,000 on attracting teachers to the area over a three-year period in an effort to tackle an ongoing recruitment crisis and cement its status as an educational pioneer.
Sara Rawnsley, Bradford Council’s teacher recruitment and retention manager, said: “We know that when people see the work of Bradford schools and teachers for themselves they want to be a part of it. We have a fantastic group of teaching ambassadors for primaries who are committed to their schools and pupils. We hope their stories will help inspire more people to join us and apply to work in schools in the district.”