Advanced Skills Teachers

ASTs are a highly trained resource. In the Middlesbrough AST team we have both primary and secondary specialists, most of whom can offer support across both phases. Their teaching and learning skills are generic so you don t necessarily have to find geography AST if you want help in Geography.

So, do you ever feel you would like more support in meeting school/dept targets, current trends, changes in strategies, new initiatives or purely a helping hand/fresh input? Then ASTs are just the people who can help.

What is an AST?

  • They are teachers who have been recognised through a rigorous external assessment as having excellent classroom practice.
  • They are supportive colleagues who make sure pupils and teachers alike receive the best support and advice.
  • They art innovative teachers who take new ideas and get them to work on all levels, who are not afraid of tackling challenges head on!
  • They support teachers, of any level, in developing their skill and experience by sharing best practice, ideas and approaches.
  • They are still in the classroom so haven't lost touch with the ongoing, ever changing challenges classroom teachers experience everyday.

ASTs are in the vanguard of people driving forward educational practice.

AST Handbook

'The AST can support the priorities identified in the LEA s Education Development Plan and help raise standards in schools.'
AST Handbook Supplement 1 page 6

AST s can give you the support you may need, if you are struggling with new initiatives and may be able to help you take successful strategies further. They can be there if you feel you just need a little inspiration for a new way of doing the same old thing.

The Role of the AST

ASTs commit 20% of their time to outreach work, providing support such as:

  • Producing high quality teaching materials
  • Disseminating materials relating to best practice and educational research.
  • Providing model lessons to a whole class, or a target group of pupils e.g. G&T, SEN, EAL etc., with staff observing
  • Supporting a subject leader with regard to schemes of work, policies or management skills.
  • Observing lessons and advising other teachers on classroom organisation, lesson planning and teaching and learning styles.
  • Helping teachers who are experiencing difficulties
  • Participating in the induction and mentoring of newly qualified teachers, GTP, SCITT trainees etc.
  • Supporting professional development
  • Mentoring
  • Peer coaching
  • Providing a sounding board for ideas

To whom can an AST be useful?

Anyone working in a learning environment. E.g.

  • Senior managers in planning the teaching and learning aspects of the SIP
  • CPD co-ordinator in planning or providing high quality professional development
  • Subject leaders in planning for effective teaching and learning
  • Classroom teachers for developing effective teaching and learning practice
  • NQT s, ITT s, GTT s
  • Aspiring AST s
  • LEA advisers in developing teaching and learning
  • Network leaders

'ASTs, where they have been appointed, are being regarded as key figures in school development and implementation.'

Ofsted

What ASTs are not

ASTs are not super teachers . They have shown signs of excellence in all areas of classroom practice and have experience of advising and supporting other teachers, skills that they too are constantly developing.
ASTs are not inspectors. They are not judgmental in any way and SM should not use them to provide information to be used in disciplining teachers.
ASTs should not be expected to solve difficulties immediately; in some cases it may be impossible or inappropriate. Plans with time scales should always be drawn up with the AST and the school/teacher.
An AST should not be asked to act as a supply teacher.

What Next?

Contact Kevin Buckle, Interim Assistant Director, Inclusion & Achievement (01642 728076 / Kevin_buckle@middlesbrough.gov.uk ) for an informal chat about how ASTs could help you or to get an update new members of the team

Link to Standards AST site