---
title: Advice for Teaching School Applicants
description: Addressing the big 6 for teaching schools can be a challenge. Read this advice for teaching school applicants to find out how IRIS Connect can support you.
---

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# Advice for Teaching School Applicants

Posted by [Charlotte Curl](https://blog.irisconnect.com/uk/author/charlotte-curl) - Last updated on December 13, 2019

## Advice for Teaching School Applicants

The government’s teaching school [initiative](http://www.irisconnect.com/uk/teaching-schools/) is entering its second year, with two-hundred teaching schools having been designated to support continued professional development (CPD) and Initial Teacher Training (ITT) across their alliances.

Becoming a teaching school is something that many outstanding schools are looking to do, but the application process is rigorous and requires significant commitment.

### Advice from current teaching schools

I spoke to a few of the teaching schools we work with to gather some of their advice for current applicants or those looking to apply in the future.

**Here's what they said:**

> **"The bid is more about track record rather than intentions for the future so schools need to have good experience working across all areas of teaching school work."**
> 
> Paul Haigh, Director of the Hallam Teaching School Alliance, Notre Dame High School
> 
> **"Applicant schools need to do serious work to build their alliance getting key partner schools, HEIs and other organisations singed up and have their expertise and capacity built into the bid."**

Paul Haigh, Director of the Hallam Teaching School Alliance, Notre Dame High School

> **"Make sure you have enough capacity – it’s not about one school leading others, it’s about working together use expertise across the alliance to cover all of the Big 6 areas."**

Paul Stone, Headteacher at Kibworth Primary

> **"Know your weaknesses and how you will build strength in these areas."**

Tim Mills, Deputy Headteacher at Latchmere School.

> **"Ensure that robust governance and support structures are in place to ensure that the whole alliance works together effectively and in the same direction"**

Paul Stone, Headteacher at Kibworth Primary

> **"If you get a verification visit prepare well – they know their stuff"**

Tim Mills, Deputy Headteacher at Latchmere School.

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