A South West education trust aiming to become the region’s best place to work has been recognised nationally for the way it develops and supports its staff.
The Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust has been shortlisted for the Staff Development Award for trusts with 13 or more schools at the MAT Excellence Awards.
The award recognises academy trusts that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting professional development for staff across their schools.
The Ted Wragg Trust says investing in people is central to its mission to transform lives, strengthen communities and improve outcomes for young people. One of its strategic priorities is “growing great people”, with professional development opportunities offered to staff at every stage of their careers.
Teachers across the trust benefit from fortnightly instructional coaching sessions, while more than 50 professional networks allow staff to collaborate and share expertise. Training programmes also include the SEND Level 5 teaching assistant apprenticeship delivered in partnership with Exeter College.
According to the trust, eight in ten staff members say they would recommend it as a place to work – a figure it says is significantly higher than national benchmarks.
Last year the trust also launched its festival of learning, known as tEdFest, designed to bring more choice and collaboration to staff training. The event saw more than 1,300 members of staff take part, with more than 200 courses available and around 5,000 hours of continuing professional development completed during the day.
The MAT Excellence Awards celebrate the work of academy trusts across the country and recognise their impact on pupils, staff and the wider community. Winners will be announced later this year.
Moira Marder, chief executive of the Ted Wragg Trust, said: “We are proud that our commitment to staff development has been recognised at a national level.
“Our colleagues are at the heart of everything we do, and investing in their growth and wellbeing is central to providing the best possible outcomes for our young people.
“Our flagship festival of learning – tEdFest – was a truly memorable day and this nomination is a testament to the dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism of staff members across our trust.”
Julie Fossey, director of the Ted Wragg Institute, added: “We’re thrilled to be shortlisted for this national staff development award which recognises our commitment to growing great people.
“Through our Ted Wragg Institute we offer rich opportunities for professional growth for colleagues at every stage of life and across every specialism, and tEdFest was the culmination of our ambition to bring more choice and joy to staff development.
“The professional learning completed through tEdFest is already having a tangible impact across our family of schools and we’re excited to make it even better this year.”
