Professional Learning

The trust, through its parent school, has a long history of expertise in staff development training previously having been a training school. It has run a SCITT, been a strategic partner for other Teaching Schools and has hosted many training opportunities for both national and regional bodies. Macmillan Academy will be applying for Teaching School status which will bring significant benefits to the trust members. If the bid is successful member schools would automatically become strategic partners within a Teaching School Alliance.

Teachers in the trust can expect quality induction provision and when taking up appointment will be part of an Expert Teacher training programme. This is a six year programme starting with the NQT year and ending when staff are at M6 and ready to apply for threshold. There are long established, teacher learning communities where staff are used to sharing action based research written up in an academic format. Middle leader training and leadership training opportunities are available for staff looking for career development.

A number of staff have lead practitioner status and we have a lesson observation camera. The camera is regularly used, embedded into training and staff self reflection.

Many unqualified staff over the years have been trained and we use School Direct for both salaried and non-salaried routes.

There are long established partnerships with local ITT providers at both secondary and primary and many students visit in our teacher taster week. Macmillan Academy takes over 30 placements in an average year.

Performance management targets are always related to teaching and learning and whole academy development plan priorities. Many staff leave the academy having secured good promotion opportunities, which reflects their career development experience.