ATLP’S Classroom Heroes

By Richard Gill, CEO, ATLP

We’re nearing the end of the first half term of the academic year – and what a productive eight weeks it’s been! I hope that all of our ‘new starters’ are settled in, forming friendships and loving learning.

This includes our Associate Teachers on our Teaching School’s initial teacher training programme. It’s always fascinating to find out about their journey into the profession and you can read more here: https://www.atlp.org.uk/associate-teachers-our-first-week/

This week I was delighted to attend the Pearson National Education Awards. It was an honour to sit alongside ATLP Trust Board Member Sir Tim Brighouse as he picked up the Lifetime Contribution to Education Award for his incredible service to the profession. During the event I spoke to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson MP, who praised the staff in schools who show such commitment to providing children and young people with opportunities to excel. You can watch the awards this Saturday on BBC2 – the programme is called ‘Britain’s Classroom Heroes’.

I am proud to work with so many classroom heroes across the ATLP. When I visit our family of 14 schools, I see the values that we share – collaboration, likemindedness, mutual support, joint responsibility and putting children at the heart of everything we do – embodied by all staff. Let me thank you again for all your hard work and dedication: it really is a privilege to walk alongside you.”

As this partnership continues to expand, I see more and more collaboration taking place across our schools. This sharing of resources and best practice ensures that we all grow. Working collectively brings about countless opportunities for our students and staff and leads to wider school improvement for all. Here are just a few recent highlights:

Last month 15 teachers from across our partnership travelled to Microsoft HQ in London where they broadened their knowledge and understanding of Microsoft software. They’re now distributing this knowledge across our schools and enabling others to benefit from that expertise. https://www.atlp.org.uk/atlp-at-the-microsoft-academy/

Talking of technology, this week has seen the official launch of the new West Midlands Regional Apple Training Centre at ATLP’s Mere Green Primary School – and we look forward to hearing more about this excellent facility.

Last week, Maths leaders from across the MAT primaries and secondaries came together to develop our curriculum intent for Maths and sharing best practice. It’s great to see such a joined up approach taking place across the different phases of education.

Collaboration spans all areas of our organisation. It is the cornerstone of school improvement. The success of our centralisation restructure means that all schools are seeing the benefits of streamlining our services, from the sharing of staff to greater consistency across a range of business functions.

Teams from across the partnership will come together for professional development and teambuilding this week. I hope those sessions give you the chance to reflect on your fantastic work to date, and to explore how you can help shape the future direction of this partnership.

I wish you all a happy and restful half term break and please do keep sharing those wonderful pictures of your Diwali and Harvest Festival celebrations!

Richard.