THE first success story has come out of a project to raise achievements in GCSEs at Basingstoke schools.

This week, teachers at Everest Community Academy have been the first cohort to successfully complete the OLEVI Improving Teacher Programme as part of the teaching specialist joint LEaRN Teaching School Alliance and HIAS's project to raise achievement at GCSE at schools in Basingstoke.

The programme, facilitated by Suzy Berte from Everest and Martin Hole from the school alliance, encourages teachers to reflect on all aspects of their practice, allowing time to observe colleagues to share excellent practice across schools.

Suzy said: "The participating teachers, Nicola Baker, head of performing arts; Magda Cummins, head of modern foreign languages; and Sarah Henderson, head of science; benefited from challenging their thinking and consequently amending their teaching practice to ensure the maximum impact of the programme across the school."

The programme will run again with three further teachers in September, aiming to maximise impact.