Training opportunities are significant due to the presence of our own teaching school (Suffolk Borders Teaching Alliance) at the heart of the trust which is driving outstanding opportunities for professional development, research, teacher training and collaboration between schools and across phases.  The three elements of the Teaching School’s responsibility are effective school-to-school support, high quality initial teacher training and provision of evidence-informed continuing professional and leadership development.

Unity Schools Partnership also has a research school and through the various strands of Research School activity, Unity Schools Partnership has extended its reach and reputation for collaborative school improvement work with connections with the Department for Education, Chartered College of Teaching, Teaching School Council, Royal Society, Ofsted and UCL. 

The Trust offers a wide range of staff benefits including: 

Pensions

All staff are automatically enrolled into either the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme depending on their role and position within the organisation. Both schemes are defined benefit schemes, which are very valuable. 

Discounts

We have managed to negotiate a range of discounts for staff and are on the lookout for more offers all the time to increase the variety and find something that will appeal to everyone:

Electric Car Scheme (Fleet Allicance)

This is a tax efficient salary sacrifice benefit open to all qualifying staff who may be looking at changing their vehicle.

Cycle to Work Scheme

Some of our team are already using this scheme, so I am sure they will be willing to share with you how great it is. This benefit can give you up to 42% savings on the cost of a new bike and any equipment – not to mention the benefits to your health and the environment, and the saving on parking spaces!!

Flu-Jab

In the autumn term we will issue flu vouchers to all employees.

 

Wellbeing

Staff Wellbeing is prioritised to ensure that all of our colleagues feel valued and supported in the work they do. At Unity Schools Partnership we adhere to the DfE Wellbeing Charter and are pleased to be able to offer a range of employee wellbeing benefits, which include:

  • Workload reduction commitment including sharing resources, AI via our MIS, and limited communications outside of normal working hours.
  • Two-week autumn half term.
  • Staff feel valued and listened to via line management meetings, surveys, professional growth (appraisal) meetings, team meetings and staff forums.
  • Discounted gym memberships (dependent on location)
  • Lift gym workouts available via LifeWorks, our employee assistance programme
  • Access to ‘TELUS’ mental health support
  • Face to face wellbeing sessions
  • Self-care resource pack
  • Annual staff wellbeing survey and wellbeing group

 

Professional Development

The success of our school is built on the dedication of our staff, and we are passionate about promoting professional development and training and are always looking for innovative ways to provide CPD as well as developmental and leadership opportunities for staff.

At the core of this is an extensive CPD offer which caters for the needs of our staff and students in terms of developing subject knowledge, pedagogy and the wider responsibilities that go with serving our community.

Working closely with the Unity Teaching School Hub, we are able to support career progression through our bespoke middle leaders’ programme in addition to being able to offer the full range of NPQs.

Key Elements of our CPD offer:

  • CPD offer being developed through our own Unity Institute
  • Instructional Coaching linked to developing pedagogy
  • Members of the National College portal
  • Professional courses funded via the apprenticeship levy
  • Internal CPD opportunities throughout the academic year
  • Strong links with the Unity Teaching School Hub
  • Access to NPQs
  • Trust wide professional development and wellbeing day
  • Trust wide leadership events
  • Our Unity Research School provides evidence informed CPD for our staff and neighbouring schools