The headteacher of Westbourne Primary School has won national recognition this week, and will take a lead role helping under-achieving schools.

Matthew Hiley, headteacher at Westbourne, joined the 500-strong National Leader of Education (NLE) scheme this week.

The programme puts outstanding headteachers into leadership positions at schools struggling to raise marks, or facing conversion into academies.

Mr Hiley said: “It is a great honour to be chosen for this role, and a tribute to the teachers and other staff at Westbourne for their dedicated work in raising standards.”

The Education Secretary plans to double NLE headteachers nationwide from 500 to 1,000 by 2015.