A GROUP of headteachers from St Helens primary schools has successfully completed a business management training programme, the first of its kind.

The heads from Carr Mill Infants, Rectory CE Primary, St John Vianney RC Primary, and Willow Tree Primary, completed the programme on a part-time basis while still fulfilling their school duties.

The teachers received their management certificates from Councillor John Fletcher, chairman of Education, who said: "We have long recognised that by developing management skills and the business knowledge of our headteachers we can go some way to achieve our objective of having very successful primary schools. Such schools provide the children of St Helens with access to the best possible primary education."

The management training programme was jointly developed for St Helens primary schools by the council and the St Helens Chamber of Commerce, Training and Enterprise. Councillor Fletcher told them the programme helped with the management training that is sensitive to the special requirements of primary schools.

As well as contributing to the development of the training programme, St Helens Business Link, a division of the Chamber of Commerce, provided support funding and managed its delivery by specialist providers 3E Management and Training Services Network. Frederick Evans, general manager of Business Link, said the development of effective headteachers requires a management role. "This is an area where we can provide support and this initiative is a very good example of how co-operation can work to the benefit of St Helens people."

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