A MID Devon primary school named as one of the best in the country will be helping to train the teachers and education leaders of the future after being selected to become a National Teaching School.

The Duchy School at Bradninch is just one of 54 schools to have been appointed this year throughout the country.

Teaching Schools take a leading role in recruiting and training new entrants to the profession.

They also identify and develop leadership potential, provide support for other schools and work to raise standards of teaching.

Last year, the Duchy was named as one of the best schools in the country after being rated as outstanding across the board.

Independent education inspectors from Ofsted said it was outstanding in all five key areas of its work.

That meant the school’s overall effectiveness was outstanding.

All teaching schools have to be rated as outstanding.

They work with partner schools in an alliance to provide high quality, school-led, initial teacher training as well as professional development opportunities for teachers at all stages of their career.

They raise standards through supporting other schools, engage in research and development, and ensure that the most talented school leaders are spotted and supported to become successful head teachers.

The Duchy is part of the Primary Academies Trust, which consists of 10 Devon schools.

Executive head teacher, Claire Baillie, said: “The whole Duchy School team are delighted to have been selected as a National Teaching School. It is vital that we encourage the best teachers and leaders of the future so that our children can continue to receive the best possible education.”

Primary Academies Trust chief executive, Gary Chown, said: “Since joining PAT, Claire Baillie and her team at Duchy have significantly improved the school and this has now been recognised nationally.

“I am passionate about schools supporting schools and we are delighted that one of our schools has been selected for this accolade.”