Professional Development
We support professional development for teachers, leaders and support staff at every stage of their career.
Supporting Professional Growth | Early Career and Leadership Development | Collaboration and Networks | Specialist and Targeted Development | Working Groups and Innovation | Working in Partnership | Supporting Strong Schools
At Exceed Academies Trust, our professional development offer combines high-quality national programmes, Trust-wide collaboration and peer support. Together, these ensure that staff are supported to strengthen their practice and deliver consistently high-quality education.
We work in partnership with the Exceed Teaching School Hub and accredited providers to facilitate access to national programmes, while also drawing on the expertise within our own schools to support development across the Trust.
Supporting Professional Growth
Professional development is central to improving outcomes for children and young people. Our approach ensures that staff are supported to build their knowledge, skills and confidence over time.
This includes structured programmes aligned to national frameworks, alongside opportunities for collaboration, coaching and the sharing of expertise across our schools.
Early Career and Leadership Development
We support teachers and leaders throughout their careers, from early career development through to senior and executive leadership.
Early Career Teachers are supported through structured programmes facilitated through the Exceed Teaching School Hub in partnership with lead providers, ensuring high-quality training, mentoring and guidance.
We also support leadership development through access to National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), delivered as part of a national framework, alongside Trust-wide opportunities for leaders to collaborate, share expertise and strengthen practice.
Find out more about the Teaching School Hub →
Find out more about National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) →
Collaboration and Networks
A key feature of our professional development offer is the opportunity for staff to work collaboratively across the Trust.
We provide a wide range of networks and collaborative groups for leaders, teachers and support staff, enabling colleagues to:
- Share expertise and effective practice
- Develop subject and leadership knowledge
- Work in partnership with colleagues across different schools and settings
- Access support from experienced practitioners
These networks cover a wide range of areas, including curriculum subjects, safeguarding, SEND, attendance and early years, supporting strong professional communities across the Trust.
Specialist and Targeted Development
We provide access to a wide range of specialist development opportunities designed to support specific roles and priorities within schools.
This includes training and programmes focused on areas such as safeguarding, human resources, health and safety, adaptive teaching and supporting learners with English as an additional language (EAL).
We also provide opportunities linked to innovation and the use of technology in education, including work through our Apple Regional Training Centre, supporting educators to develop their use of digital tools to enhance teaching and learning.
These opportunities ensure that staff are equipped to meet the needs of their pupils and fulfil their roles effectively.
Explore Research and Innovation →
Find out more about the Adaptive Teaching: Train the Trainer programme →
Find out more about the EAL Hub →
Working Groups and Innovation
Staff are also able to engage in focused working groups that support Trust priorities and drive improvement.
These groups bring together colleagues from across the Trust to collaborate on areas such as artificial intelligence, curriculum development and equity, diversity and belonging, enabling shared problem-solving and the development of new approaches.
Working in Partnership
Our professional development offer combines national programmes with strong local collaboration.
Programmes are facilitated through the Exceed Teaching School Hub in partnership with accredited providers, while Trust-wide networks and internal expertise ensure that development is responsive to local needs.
This balance between national frameworks and local collaboration enables us to support staff effectively at every stage of their career.
Find out more about the Teaching School Hub →
Supporting Strong Schools
By investing in our people and working collaboratively across our schools, we build the capacity needed to sustain improvement over time.
Professional development plays a key role in strengthening leadership, improving teaching and ensuring that all pupils benefit from high-quality education.
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