AN outstanding Bolton school is not just teaching children ­— it is also developing the next generation of teachers.

Eden Boys’ School has been designated a “Teaching School Hub” by the government and will offer development and training to staff throughout the borough, but also in neighbouring Bury, where its governing body is set to open a secondary school in Radcliffe.

In autumn 2020, the Government invited high performing schools, rated good or outstanding, to apply to become teaching school hubs.

Eden Boys School opened in 2014 and quickly established itself as a top performing school.

It is rated outstanding by Ofsted.

It is just one of 87 centres of excellence established in the country to support teachers in their careers in a bid to improve the retention and recruitment and improve standards in education.

Eden Boys’ School, Bolton is operated by Star Academies

Sue Gill-Daintith, Principal of Eden Boys’ School, Bolton, said: “We relish the opportunity to play a more active role in the development of teachers in Bolton, Bury, Rochdale.

"We strive to achieve the very best for our young people and we are looking forward to working with an even wider community through this new role as a Teaching School Hub.”

The department for education's new Teaching School Hub programme has created a national infrastructure of 87 centres of excellence for teacher training and professional development, replacing the previous network of around 750 Teaching Schools.

Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive of Star Academies, said: “We are delighted to be able to play a role in the new Teaching School Hub network.

“In these extraordinary times, we must do everything in our power to create opportunities and improve outcomes for children and young people.

"This new programme will enable the purposeful collaboration, sharing of expertise and professional growth of teachers and leaders serving different communities.

“We look forward to working and learning with our partners to build on the positive foundations that were developed nationally through Teaching Schools, and to meet the new challenges faced by the sector.”