A MIDDLEWICH teacher has been selected from more than 100 applicants to join a new independent teaching board.

Mike Taylor, a science teacher at Middlewich High School, was appointed one of seven new members of the Chartered College of Teaching council in December and will join 13 founder trustees on the board.

The new chartered body replaces the College of Teaching, and will work to represent a variety of subjects and school types in forming a collective voice for the profession.

Mike has been a science teacher for the past five years, with whole school responsibilities for teaching, learning and staff development.

Having achieved a master’s degree in Teaching and Learning, he is currently completing a PhD exploring assessment policy in Great Britain.

Mike, who applied in June, said: “The application process was rigorous and took place over a number of months due to the incredibly high number of teachers who were interested in the role.

“I hope to be able to shape policies to become more research-informed and based upon the evidence of what works for the benefit of all children in England “I am certain that all teachers will see the benefit to our profession having a body which represents the interests of teachers as professionals.

“The College is still in its infancy and would really like to encourage all teachers to apply for membership when application opens.”

Dame Alison Peacock, chief executive designate at the Chartered College of Teaching, said: “I am delighted to welcome our new council members to the Chartered College.

“During the interview process, I was thrilled by the commitment to continuing professional development and high standards shown by all of the applicants.

“We have an exciting challenge ahead to connect the teaching profession across all phases, specialist areas of education and subject disciplines.

“Our aim is to provide a collective voice for the profession through listening to teachers, providing scholarship opportunities and building regional research communities.

“Our council will play a vital role in helping the Chartered College to achieve this.”

Claire Dockar, chairman of the¬ board of trustees, added: “As Council members, we work closely with the senior management team to oversee the development of the Chartered College.

“The council is responsible for engaging teachers, developing future strategy towards growing the membership and helping to join up the wider profession.

“We have all been working hard over the last 12 months to get the Chartered College to where it is today.

“I am looking forward to working with our new members and the remaining council to launch the Chartered College and help it to realise its ambitions for the benefit of teaching, the future of education, and more importantly, our students.”