Fast facts about NCSL

In 2007/08, Ofsted judged the quality of school leadership to be at an all-time high.

A 2008 Cabinet Office report identified the College as an example of excellence in leadership development and support, noting that: "Services must build on the success of organisations like the National College for School Leadership, which is widely regarded as world-leading, to ensure the highest quality leadership and support."

The College’s core business is to serve the needs of existing and future leaders, and our leadership programmes are at the heart of this aim.

Since the College opened in 2000, more than 230,000 places have been taken up by school leaders and aspiring leaders on its leadership development programmes.

By April 2008, 96 per cent of secondary schools and 79 per cent of primary schools had taken part in one or more of the College’s core programmes.

Research indicates that those who engage in NCSL programmes are more likely to achieve better results for their pupils.

Between 2005 and 2007, the rate of improvement in GCSE results for schools most engaged with NCSL’s core programmes was over four times that of non-engaged schools.

Over 100 National Leaders of Education and National Support Schools supported over 50,000 pupils in more than 100 schools during the 2007-08 academic year; research shows that both supported and supporting schools have seen standards rise faster than the national average.

The College’s Leadership Network is open to all school leaders and those in education-related leadership roles. It brings together leaders across the country to share and develop their leadership learning and draw on policy issues from professional practice.

The Leadership Network has over 22,000 members (as at January 2009) and is growing rapidly. A recent survey showed that 95 per cent of participants rate the Network’s regional events as good or excellent.