NCSL conference reveals teacher enthusiasm

New teachers are enthusiastic about their careers, a recent National College for School Leadership (NCSL) event has revealed.

At its annual leadership conference, which was attended by more than 1,500 principals and governors, the NCSL conducted a poll that revealed enthusiasm for the profession is up compared with results of a similar survey in 2003.

Furthermore, the NCSL polled 150 teachers aged under 26 who were in their first three years of teaching and found that 85 per cent still wanted to be working in education in two decades time.

Chief executive of the NCSL Steve Munby said: "Our challenge is to convert the teachers' obvious enthusiasm for the classroom and their subject into a willingness to consider the wider leadership opportunities."

He added that the current "wealth of talent and experience" in the teaching profession at the moment now needs to be "harnessed" in order to create a strong body of leaders for the future.

In related news, four schools picked up a 21st Century Learning Alliance award at the NCSL's Seizing Success conference this month.

Abbots Green Community Primary School in Bury St Edmunds, Leasowes Community College in Halesowen, Cramlington Community High School in Northumberland and Greys Education Centre in Kempston were the winning schools.