Prestigious awards nomination for schools trust

Excalibur Academies Trust - whose schools include Liden Academy and Nythe Primary - is celebrating being shortlisted for the Staff Development award in the prestigious MAT (Multi-Academy Trust) Excellence Awards.

The trust says that whilst this has always been an intrinsic part of its culture, staff development has been a key focus in the past 12 months, with the launch of an enhanced Professional Learning and Development Programme (PLD). 

The trust says that, critically, the decision to move away from performance related pay is ensuring Excalibur empowers staff to be ethical in their actions and career choices.

The application for the Staff Development award was carefully evaluated by the expert judging panel, who assessed it based on criteria such as impact, innovation, and the quality of supporting evidence. 

Laura Reid, Director of Teaching, Learning & Professional Growth at Excalibur Academies Trust, said: “We’re thrilled that our relentless work on researching and implementing exactly what it is that our employees need to feel fulfilled and committed to Excalibur has been recognised. 

"It certainly isn’t a one size fits all approach, with a special and dynamic strategy being implemented to meet the needs of everyone within our diverse Trust.”

Excalibur says its online Professional Hub provides varied and personalised opportunities for lifelong learning and CPD, including apprenticeships, National Professional Qualifications (NPQ), an exhaustive Resource Centre, secondments and networking opportunities.

 Nick Lewis, CEO of Excalibur Academies Trust, said: “Looking after individuals, who share our commitment to changing children’s lives for the better, lie at the very heart of our existence. We would like to thank each and every one of our staff who have contributed to this amazing accolade.”

The MAT Excellence Awards Ceremony and gala dinner, which will welcome hundreds from across the sector, will take place in London on 19 June.