Specialist Leaders of Education are leaders identified by the DfE as being able to provide exceptional support to schools in need within their specialist areas. SLEs have to apply through the Forest Learning Alliance and go through a selection, assessment, and monitoring process before they are allowed to deliver support to schools.

Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs) are outstanding middle and senior leaders who have the skills to support individuals or teams in similar positions in other schools.

The SLE role is about:

• Improving outcomes for children
• Leaders supporting leaders
• Drawing on specialist knowledge and areas of expertise
• Being flexible to meet the needs of supported schools
• Sustainability – helping schools improve their own leadership capacity

SLEs will:

• Have excellent interpersonal skills
• Be able to work sensitively and collaboratively with others
• Have a commitment to outreach work
• Understand what outstanding leadership practice in their area of specialism looks like and help other leaders to achieve it in their own context.

System leadership supports the sharing and development of outstanding, innovative practice, which can benefit both schools in a partnership.

When we receive a request for SLE support, we will review the needs of the school requesting support and match an SLE with the appropriate area of expertise and capacity to offer the support.

If you would like to speak to us about the School-to-School Support we can offer please contact us on info@forestlearningalliance.org.uk