Specialty schools have been created to deliver postgraduate medical training in London and the south east of England. The schools are managed by the London Deanery in conjunction with the royal colleges, faculties and colleges.

Trainees who have accepted an offer from the London Deanery automatically become members of the school representing their specialty. The schools work closely with NHS Foundation Trusts and NHS London and are an important step in the development of postgraduate medical education.

The main roles of the schools are:

• to ensure all education, training and assessment processes meet college and General Medical Council (GMC) curricula
• to monitor the quality of training, ensuring it enhances the standard of patient care and produces competent and capable specialists
• to implement the new MMC training programmes
• to encourage and develop educational research
• to promote diversity and equality of opportunity
• to work with the London Deanery to identify, assess and support trainees in difficulty

Structure

Each School consists of the head of school, training managers (including STC chairs), training programme directors, educational supervisors and trainees. 

All school heads have been jointly appointed by the Deanery and the royal college for that specialty. The head provides leadership and guidance and has been appointed for an initial period of two years. This appointment can be extended for a maximum of three years. The school heads also sit on the London Deanery education and training committee.

Each school has an executive board to provide direction and educational governance. The board ensures the quality of education and training meets GMC standards. It also approves policies and procedures for trainers and trainees.

School executive boards are made up of stakeholders. These include NHS executives (CEOs, HR directors and medical directors) the school head and Deanery trainers, a medical school academic lead and representatives from the relevant royal colleges, lay members, trainees and other clinical professionals. Each school head regularly reports to his or her respective board. The board is required to meet at least three times per year.

The London Deanery provides administrative support to each Board. Specialty schools operate in line with London Deanery policies and procedures and those of the GMC.