What does the Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance do?

Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance – Driving Excellence Across the South West

The Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance brings together three Teaching School Hubs across the South West to provide high quality professional development for teachers and leaders in our region. We engage with all types of settings and schools across Somerset, North Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and NE Somerset – more than 750 schools, settings and colleges.

Our mission is to work collaboratively with partners, tapping into our collective experience and successful track record to support teachers and leaders by providing career-long development through specific pathways. Our shared goal is simple: to ensure every child benefits from outstanding teaching by supporting teachers and leaders at every stage of their career to keep getting better at what they do through opportunities for high quality professional development.

Through our alliance, we deliver the Department for Education’s “golden thread” of professional development, including:

• Initial Teacher Training (ITT) – helping new teachers enter the profession with confidence.
• Early Career Framework (ECF) – structured support for teachers in their first two years.
• National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) – leadership development for aspiring and experienced leaders.
• We also offer a range of other opportunities for training and CPD through our Alliance, particularly around leadership, SEND and EAL

By working collaboratively across counties and beyond, we aim to:

• Raise standards in teaching and leadership through evidence-based training.
• Improve teacher retention by offering high-quality, career-long support.
• Build strong networks that share best practice and expertise across the region.

Together, we are shaping a culture of excellence that benefits schools, teachers, and—most importantly—our pupils.

Our ambition goes beyond our programmes. Teaching School Hubs are building a culture of collaboration—connecting schools, sharing expertise, and raising standards together. By investing in teachers, we are working with schools to invest in the future of every learner.

Together, we’re shaping a profession that inspires, innovates, and transforms lives.