Passionate About People (ID 1104)

• Adam Munro
  Teaching and Learning Mentor, Weaver Trust
  Adam Munro

  With a genuine enthusiasm for working with people, Adam knew that he was well suited to a career in the education sector. He began his career as a Teaching Assistant in a local high school, which ignited a passion for teaching which brought him to Barnton Primary School eight years ago.

  For Adam, working at Barnton Primary School and at the Weaver Trust is unlike anything he has experienced. Praising the mutual support among staff members and senior leaders and the nurturing environment, Adam comments that at Barnton, he was able develop his skills beyond his own expectations and build on previous knowledge, whilst developing his own unique identity as a teacher.

  “Teaching offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with and positively impact many lives, and at the school and Trust, I have been able to explore my passion for teaching and evolve as an educator. My goal is to continue supporting and mentoring my fellow teachers, collaborating with them to enhance the quality of teaching and continue to foster a positive and inviting classroom environment where children are eager to learn and participate.

  I knew that working at the school would be an incredible opportunity; I was so impressed by the facilities, vibrant learning environment and from meeting staff and senior leaders, knowing that their vision for pupils’ education aligned with my own. In addition, our robust curriculum empowers teachers to deeply consider the pedagogy behind lessons leading to more engaging and effective teaching, so pupils benefit from improved retention of key knowledge. It is just one of the many things that make us unique.

  Senior leaders place great trust in the teachers they appoint – we are heard. I have been invited to discuss classroom practice, propose new ideas and share opinions for the chance to contribute to meaningful change. Senior leaders recognise and reward individual strengths, driving me to excel within my role and grow stronger within the profession”.

• Claire Harrison
  Headteacher, Leftwich Community Primary School
  Claire Harrison

  Joining the Weaver Trust was a fantastic decision – the Trust allows us to collaborate with like-minded colleagues and schools with a shared vision for the education of our pupils, which not only aims to support us in attaining our vision but provides access to resources and a pool of shared best practice to achieve it. Across every level and measure the support has been incredible, and as leaders we know our opinions are valued and respected. Belonging to the Weaver Trust is very much a partnership”.

• Sara Albiston
  Headteacher, Grange Community Primary School
  Sara Albiston

  “Grange Community Nursery and Primary School joined the Weaver Trust in 2018, and since then has played a considerable role in the transformation of our school. The Trust has been the driving force behind curriculum and teaching and learning improvements, enabling our school to have outcomes which are significantly above national average.

  Not only has the Trust supported the development of the school, but also my continued professional development. Through carefully mapped career pathways, I have developed from Assistant Headteacher to Head of School and now to Headteacher and benefitted from a wealth of opportunities to work closely with colleagues across the Trust, allowing for the sharing of best practice and cross-collaboration.

  The benefits of joining the Weaver Trust are far reaching, allowing access to a network of facilities and a pool of expertise which are so valuable, including legal services, financial advice, HR, governance support and curriculum expertise. I am delighted to be leading Grange Community Nursery and Primary School and for us to belong to the Weaver family”.

• Steph Johnston
  Reception Class Teacher, Grange Community Primary School
  Steph Johnston

  Building secure foundations for children and providing them access to the very best educational opportunities in a rich, stimulating environment is what drives Steph’s passion for working with young children.

  Dedicated to making a difference to pupils’ development and learning, Steph has a philosophy to create and establish high-quality learning environments that are nurturing and kind, underpinned by strong and positive relationships and undertaking a holistic approach. This is what is at the heart of her everyday practice, and what saw her begin her career at Grange Community Nursery and Primary School 7 years ago as a TA, but quickly progressed on the Trust Career Pathway to become a qualified teacher.

  “During my time at Grange, I have witnessed it transform to become the school of choice, an incredible journey that was the result of becoming part of the Trust, its core values and the drive of our senior leaders. Joining the Trust also provided me with access to a wide range of opportunities and support linked to my own personal development as well as enabling high-quality teaching. Not only have I progressed to become a qualified teacher, but also gained the Forest School Leader qualification, allowing me to provide sessions that will increase positive wellbeing and self-esteem among our pupils, something I am passionate about.

  Belonging to the Trust has allowed the opportunity to share expertise and advice, gain valuable support and training from exceptional colleagues and enabled effective and collaborative partnership to ensure we continue to strive for quality and excellence across all schools in the Trust. I have benefitted from unique learning opportunities including working as a mentor for work experience students and with student teachers across universities as they begin their route into teaching.

  My vision for the future of my career is to continue developing and embedding my knowledge and skills, to continue motivating and challenging pupils to reach for their dreams and creating a culture that is child-centred, providing the very best education and opportunities to learn”.

• Zilan Marsh
  Curriculum and Behaviour Lead, Grange Community Primary School
  Zilan Marsh

  Following the completion of my PGCE at the University of Manchester, I began my teaching career at Grange Community Nursery and Primary School.

  Throughout my NQT year I benefitted from exceptional support from a dedicated mentor and colleagues across the school and Weaver Trust, which greatly contributed to my development as a teacher. Further support from professionals across the Trust allowed for collaborative planning and support and extensive CPD opportunities further enhanced my skills and knowledge. Upon completing my NQT year I sought out additional responsibilities including subject leadership roles, which led to the successful completion of the Primary Science Quality Mark, resulting in our school receiving the prestigious award.

  Over the course of my time at the school, senior leadership have consistently recognised and rewarded my achievements, actively facilitating my professional development and growth, culminating in the appointment as Curriculum Lead. This role encouraged regular engagement with leaders across the Trust to share best practice and collaborate on enhancing our subjects further, an approach that has been instrumental in driving continuous improvement and innovation.

  Additionally, I have been offered numerous CPD opportunities linked to my role and to develop my practice further, which led to the completion of a National Professional Qualification in Leading Behaviour and Culture, and I am now proudly Behaviour Lead at both school and Trust level. I look forward to my future here and continuing to building on leadership experience and contributing to the overall success of the school and Trust”.

• Sam Rutter
  Head of School, Barnton Community Nursery and Primary School
  Sam Rutter

  Sam’s career began as a Nursery Practitioner and soon she progressed to work in a school as a Teaching Assistant at the Weaver Trust in 2013. Inspired by her colleagues who she worked closely with, Sam dedicated herself to training as a teacher and completed the TES Global Straight to Teach Programme. Since then, Sam has quickly grown in her career, progressing as a specialist in Early Years to Assistant Headteacher and now as Head of School, leading an Outstanding School within the Trust and continuing her professional development through the Weaver Trust Career Pathway as well as supporting staff in their development.

  “I am so grateful for all the career development opportunities that the Weaver Trust has afforded me. From the very beginning when I undertook the TES Global Straight to Teach Programme I was championed by the Trust, who recognised my potential as an excellent practitioner and understood my commitment to work alongside colleagues to ensure the very best opportunities for pupils.

  I expressed my ambition to take on a leadership role within the Trust, and as a result was awarded the opportunity to embark in a position in a different school within the Trust, allowing me to gain leadership experience and skills. The Trust further supported my professional development, and I gained the NPQSL and NPQ in Early Years, which opened the door to my first leadership role: Assistant Headteacher. Within this capacity, I worked alongside colleagues to lead school improvement, gaining much experience along the way. This wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise has provided me with the tools to support, coach and mentor staff across the Trust. I look forward to recognising and rewarding potential and ambition in my staff, as the leadership team has done for me”.

• Jenny Fisher
  Early Years Teaching and Learning Mentor, Weaver Trust
  Jenny Fisher

  “My career with the Trust began in an office role, working as a Business Manager for one of the schools within the Trust. However, I soon realised that I wanted to make meaningful contributions to life at the school and Trust, and have an impact inside of the classroom.

  To make my dream a reality, I approached senior leaders and had the opportunity to volunteer as a Teaching Assistant, where my potential as a Classroom Practitioner was quickly identified, and I was supported by the Trust in the completion of the TES Global Straight to Teach Programme. I found my calling in KS1 and Early Years, where I completed an NPQ in Early Years whilst providing the highest standards of education for children in my classroom.
  Through the Weaver Trust Career Pathway, I have been able to develop my knowledge and skills of coaching and mentoring and it was through the Pathway that I began my leadership journey, offering support to teachers and support staff within the school. Appreciating the impact that my support had on the teachers within one school, I was encouraged by senior leaders to share this with other schools in the Weaver Trust.

  I now work as the Early Years’ mentor for the Trust, providing bespoke support and guidance across the different school settings. It is a great privilege to work in an environment where aspirations are encouraged and ambitions are nurtured, I feel so lucky to have been supported in the achievement of my career goals and look forward to helping others make theirs a reality, as the Trust did for me.

  My ambitions haven’t stopped, instead they have continued to grow. I look forward to continuing with my professional development and, with the support of the Trust, I have completed an NPQ in Behaviour and Culture, and the Trust are fully supporting my passion for Early Years, as I complete my Masters”.

• Cerri Jones
  Teaching and Learning Lead, Weaver Trust
  Cerri Jones

  Cerri’s journey with the Weaver Trust began in 2010 following the completion of her teaching placement at Barnton Community Nursery and Primary School. This marked the beginning of an incredible career, as Cerri was instrumental in developing the Weaver Trust Career Development Pathway.

  As one of the first teachers in the Trust to complete a NPQ, Cerri took this forward in developing the curriculum and teaching and learning across the Trust. Cerri’s ambition and relentless pursuit of excellence resulted in her having the opportunity to be the Deputy Headteacher at Barnton, the very school she completed her placement, from 2017 to 2021, where she continued to develop her expertise, particularly in the coaching and mentoring of staff. To further develop Cerri’s leadership, she was seconded as a Head of School for one year, an excellent prospect which allowed further development of experience, knowledge and skill.

  Still following the Weaver Trust Career Pathway, Cerri is now completing her Masters in Educational Leadership and leading the Career Development Pathway for teachers, support staff and governors across the Trust.

• Amy Thomson
  INCO and Assistant Headteacher, Barnton Community Nursery and Primary School
  Amy Thomson

  Amy joined the Weaver Trust in 20XX, with a passion in supporting pupils with SEND. As such, her career began supporting pupils with SEND across a range of schools within the Weaver Trust, before joining the team in a specialist resource provision for pupils with complex needs. From this point, the Trust identified her potential and passion and nurtured her lifelong ambition of becoming an Educational Psychologist. Amy entered the Weaver Trust Career Pathway, becoming a Specialist Teacher, gaining QTS and continuing her academic journey, gaining NASENCo status.

  “The Weaver Trust has truly supported my aspirations, enabling me to advance my career through developmental opportunities and allowing me to immerse myself in SEND education – where my passion truly lies. I have had the opportunity to work alongside expert practitioners, gain qualifications including teaching status and work at schools across the Trust, developing my experience and skills portfolio, using my knowledge of SEND to improve outcomes for all pupils.

  I take great pride in how I have supported SENDCos across the Trust and shared expertise. As part of this, I took responsibility for adapting the Weaver Trust curriculum – ensuring access for all pupils, regardless of their starting points. I now oversee three specialist resource provisions – continuing to provide an exceptional education for Weaver Trust’s most vulnerable children. My ambition to become an Educational Psychologist is still burning brightly and the Weaver Trust continues to support this ambition”.