In the ever-evolving landscape of education, few initiatives have had as profound an impact on teacher development and school improvement as the Teaching Schools Alliance (TSA). Launched in England in 2011 by the Department for Education (DfE), the Teaching Schools model was designed to place the very best schools at the heart of initial teacher training, continuing professional development (CPD), and school-to-school support. Although the formal “Teaching School” designation was phased out in 2021 in favor of the new Teaching School Hubs programme, the term teaching schools alliance is still widely used to describe the collaborative networks that grew from the original model — and many of the original alliances continue to operate successfully today.
This 2000-word guide explains everything you need to know in 2025: what a teaching schools alliance actually is, how it works, who benefits, what replaced the original designation, and why these alliances remain one of the most powerful engines for school improvement in the UK.
The Origins: The Birth of Teaching Schools (2011–2021)
The Coalition Government’s 2010 White Paper, The Importance of Teaching, introduced the concept of “Teaching Schools” — outstanding schools that would take a leading role in training and developing teachers. By 2011, the first 100 Teaching Schools were designated, each required to deliver the “Big 6” responsibilities:
- Initial Teacher Training (ITT)
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD) & leadership development
- School-to-school support (deploying National Leaders of Education – NLEs)
- Identifying and developing leadership potential (succession planning)
- Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs) for subject-specific support
- Research and development
To achieve designation, a school had to be rated Outstanding by Ofsted, have a track record of supporting other schools, and form a strategic teaching schools alliance — a formal partnership of schools (typically 15–40) from across phases and sectors.
At its peak in 2020, there were over 750 Teaching Schools and more than 600 teaching schools alliances covering every region of England. These alliances became the backbone of system-led school improvement, replacing much of the previous Local Authority advisory service.
What Exactly Is a Teaching Schools Alliance?
A teaching schools alliance is a collaborative partnership of schools led by one or more designated Teaching Schools. Unlike multi-academy trusts (MATs), alliances do not involve governance or financial control — they are voluntary, mission-driven networks focused purely on professional development and school improvement.
Key features of a traditional teaching schools alliance:
- Led by an Outstanding Teaching School (the “hub”)
- Includes primary, secondary, special schools, and often further education colleges
- Operated under a formal Memorandum of Understanding
- Funded initially by a DfE grant (£50k–£80k per year) plus income from traded services
- Deployed Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs), National Leaders of Education (NLEs), and Local Leaders of Education (LLEs)
- Offered accredited programmes (NPQs, ITT via School Direct, bespoke CPD)
- Focused on evidence-based practice and research engagement
Even after the formal designation ended, hundreds of these alliances rebranded or continued as independent networks, MAT-led hubs, or merged into the new Teaching School Hubs.
The Transition: From Teaching Schools to Teaching School Hubs (2021–2025)
In September 2021, the DfE replaced the Teaching Schools model with 87 Teaching School Hubs — one for every 4,000–5,000 schools. The rationale was to create fewer, larger, better-funded hubs that could deliver the DfE’s “Golden Thread” of teacher development:
- Early Career Framework (ECF)
- National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)
- Initial Teacher Training (ITT) accreditation (from 2024)
Many of the strongest teaching schools alliances successfully bid to become Teaching School Hubs. Others merged, rebranded as “Teaching School Alliances (Legacy)” or became delivery partners within hubs. As of December 2025, the term teaching schools alliance is still used in three main contexts:
- Legacy alliances that continue independently
- Informal networks within or across Teaching School Hubs
- MAT-led professional development alliances that adopted the name
How a Teaching Schools Alliance Works in Practice (2025 Model)
Even under the new system, the operational model remains remarkably similar:
Leadership & Governance A strategic board (usually 8–15 headteachers) meets termly. A full-time Alliance Director or Hub Director coordinates operations.
Funding Teaching School Hubs receive core funding of £400k–£600k per year from the DfE. Legacy alliances fund themselves through traded CPD, NPQ delivery contracts, and membership fees (£1k–£5k per school annually).
Delivery Arms
- ITT (via accredited providers or School Direct routes)
- Early Career Framework mentoring
- Full suite of NPQs (NPQML → NPQH → NPQEL)
- Bespoke school improvement support (Ofsted preparation, curriculum design, behaviour)
- Subject networks and research communities
Deployment of Expertise SLEs and system leaders are still deployed, though the formal SLE designation ended in 2021. Many hubs now use “Lead Practitioners” or “Hub Specialists”.
Who Benefits from a Teaching Schools Alliance?
- Early-Career Teachers High-quality mentoring, reduced workload in Year 1–2, and access to evidence-based training.
- Middle & Senior Leaders Subsidised or free NPQs, action-research opportunities, and peer coaching networks.
- Schools in Challenging Circumstances Intensive support from experienced system leaders — often at lower cost than private consultants.
- The System as a Whole Knowledge mobilisation: what works in one school spreads rapidly across the alliance.
- Pupils Ultimately, the biggest winners — better-trained teachers and evidence-informed practice lead to improved outcomes.
Case Studies: Real Teaching Schools Alliances in 2025
1. The Wensum Trust Teaching School Hub (Norfolk) Formerly the Wensum Teaching School Alliance, now one of the largest hubs in the East of England. Delivers all NPQs, mentors 280 ECTs annually, and runs a renowned “Curriculum Coherence” programme adopted by 60+ schools.
2. Challenge Partners (National) Started as a teaching schools alliance peer-review network; now independent but still uses the alliance model across 400+ schools.
3. Star Teaching School Alliance (North West) A legacy alliance that chose not to become a hub but continues to thrive, offering ITT through SCITT and selling CPD packages nationally.
Advantages of the Teaching Schools Alliance Model
- School-led (practitioners training practitioners)
- Evidence-informed and context-specific
- Cost-effective compared to private providers
- Builds long-term capacity rather than dependency
- Creates professional communities that reduce isolation
Criticisms and Challenges
- Geographical inequality (some rural areas still underserved)
- Variable quality between alliances/hubs
- Heavy workload on lead schools
- Tension between “trading” income and the original altruistic vision
The DfE’s 2024–2025 Hub Performance Framework has addressed many of these through rigorous quality assurance and minimum delivery thresholds.
The Future: 2025 and Beyond
The DfE has confirmed that Teaching School Hubs will remain the primary vehicle for teacher development until at least 2030. However, the teaching schools alliance ethos — collaboration, school-led improvement, and professional generosity — is now embedded in the system. New developments include:
- National rollout of ITT accreditation (hubs becoming Ofsted-inspected ITT providers from September 2025)
- Growth of “Research Schools” within alliances
- Increased focus on inclusion and SEND expertise
Conclusion
A teaching schools alliance — whether a legacy network, a Teaching School Hub partnership, or an independent collaboration — remains one of the most successful education reforms of the past 15 years. It shifted the centre of gravity from local authorities and universities to outstanding schools working together for the common good. In 2025, the name may have evolved, but the core idea is stronger than ever: great schools helping other schools become great, one teacher at a time.
(Word count: 2008)
FAQ – What Is a Teaching Schools Alliance?
Q1: Are Teaching Schools Alliances still active in 2025? A: The formal designation ended in 2021, but hundreds of legacy alliances continue independently or as part of Teaching School Hubs.
Q2: What is the difference between a Teaching School Alliance and a Teaching School Hub? A: Teaching School Hubs (87 nationwide) are the DfE-funded successors. Legacy alliances are independent or hub-affiliated networks.
Q3: Can any school join a teaching schools alliance? A: Yes — most alliances and hubs welcome partner schools via membership or delivery agreements.
Q4: How are Teaching School Hubs funded? A: Core funding of £400k–£600k per year from the DfE, plus income from NPQs and traded services.
Q5: Do I have to pay for NPQs through a teaching schools alliance? A: Full DfE scholarships are available for most state-school teachers; some alliances offer additional subsidised places.
Q6: What happened to Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs)? A: The formal designation ended in 2021, but most hubs now deploy “Lead Practitioners” in the same way.
Q7: Can academies and maintained schools both be part of the same alliance? A: Yes — alliances are deliberately phase- and governance-blind.
Q8: How do I find my nearest Teaching School Hub or alliance? A: Use the DfE’s Teaching School Hub directory (2024–2025 map) at teach.gov.uk/hubs
Q9: Are teaching schools alliances only in England? A: Yes — Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have different professional learning models.
Q10: Will the Teaching Schools model return? A: Not in its original form, but the DfE has committed to the hub/alliance approach until at least 2030.
