Developing our People
At HEART Academies Trust, we believe that investing in our people is key to transforming lives, not just for the students we serve, but for our staff too. Through high-quality professional development opportunities, from national qualifications to tailored in-house programmes, we empower colleagues at every level to grow, lead and shape the future of education.
Whether it’s pursuing a leadership qualification or exploring a new area of interest through job shadowing, our team members are supported to develop the skills, confidence and ambition they need to thrive. Our commitment to continuous learning fosters a culture of curiosity, collaboration and innovation across all our schools.
Read on to discover how our staff are embracing these opportunities and making a lasting impact.
NPQ’s
Chitra Shahani is a Lead Teacher of Computer Science and IT at Bedford Academy. She believes the NPQSL programme has been a transformative journey, enhancing her leadership skills in governance, accountability, and implementation. It has empowered her to drive innovation, particularly through the successful integration of robotics into our curriculum.
By applying strategic planning and collaboration, she has fostered a culture of innovation within the Computer Science and IT department, improving curriculum delivery and staff engagement. This has led to higher student participation, stronger problem solving skills, and increased interest in STEM careers. The impact on learning and aspiration has been truly rewarding.
Chitra Shahani – Lead Teacher of Computer Science & IT at Bedford Academy
Shadowing at Bedford Academy
Sophie Venamore is a Learning Support Assistant and an ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) at Bedford Academy. Since doing the course Bedford Academy have been able to offer her the CPD program which has given her the opportunity to work within other departments. The program allowed her to shadow a member of staff within well-being. Since being given this opportunity she has become passionate to work within this area to help with the students mental health. She personally feels that taking advantage of the CPD has helped her further her understanding and knowledge of the students emotional behaviour.
Sophie Venamore – Learning Support Assistant and an ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) at Bedford Academy.
SLT Secondment
Albert Adeyemi is Head of Year 10 and a teacher of PE and Maths at Bedford Academy. Albert is gaining value leadership experience through his SLT secondment, particularly in leading a working party on Learning Behaviours at BA. This initiative has allowed him to collaborate with staff, explore research and best practices, and begin to develop structured approach to embedding learning behaviours at KS4 to promote student success.
His use of the Education Endowment Foundation implementation cycle reflects a strategic and evidence-based approach to school improvement which he learnt from his NPQSL course. This experience not only strengthens Albert’s leadership skills but also demonstrates the opportunities provided for staff to drive whole school initiatives that enhance teaching learning and student development.
Albert Adeyemi – Head of Year 10 and a teacher of PE and Maths at Bedford Academy
Mentor training
Saif Maher is a Teacher of English at Bedford Academy. He completed his PGDE recently through Teach First I’m just currently working towards his Masters in Educational Leadership. Saif has started mentoring a trainee teacher at school and is thankful for the school support, especially the deputy head, in developing key conversational leadership and coaching skills.
Through completing the Teach First course, Saif has focused on Diversity and Inclusion in English as a subject and investigated where student’s stories, especially international students, can be included into their work. This was achieved through research-based projects. Saif is also currently working on diversity within the school, through preparing and presenting assemblies on Ramadan and World Book Day.
Through being a new mentor, Saif has been able to effectively develop the teaching of his trainee.
Saif Maher – Teacher of English at Bedford Academy
Being shadowed at Bedford Academy
Nikki Horner is an Assistant Head of Year at Bedford Academy. As part of the school CPD journey, Nikki has the opportunity for members of staff to shadow her for a period of time. This experience proved to be both valuable and insightful, helping the member of staff develop their pastoral skills and broaden their understanding of what an Assistant Head of Year role entails. Colleagues sat on parent calls, attendance calls and also aided in the process of dealing with student pastoral incidences.
Nikki Horner – Assistant Head of Year at Bedford Academy.
ECT Induction Training
Ben Garrett is a Maths ECT and has received induction training. Working alongside an ECT mentor has also been incredibly helpful for him, as they’ve shared practical teaching strategies and this has given Ben valuable feedback on how to engage students and improve his practice. Ben believes having both a CPT experience and a mentor has made him more confident in his teaching, and feeling better equipped to support his students. Taking an external CPD course on teaching statistics has provided him with a deeper understanding of how to breakdown complex statistical concepts and present them in a way that’s accessible to A-level students.
Ben Garrett – Maths ECT at Bedford Academy
Lead Practitioner Accreditation
Shereen Mee is Assistant Director of Achievement for English at Bedford Academy. She has gained her Lead Practitioner accreditation through the SSAT program. Achieving her Lead Practitioner accreditation is a significant milestone that reflects her dedication to excellence in teaching and learning. It is also a testament to the inspiration and encouragement to the school provided at each step of the journey. this accomplishment empowers her to drive positive change, inspire colleagues, and promote student progress. This undertaking required her to demonstrate expertise in her field and lead others to improve their practice. Undertaking this course has facilitated her to contribute to a culture rooted in continuous growth and pedagogical excellence.
Shereen Mee – Assistant Director of Achievement for English at Bedford Academy
Coaching
Laura Fordham is a Deputy Headteacher and Teacher of English at Bedford Academy.
She completed an NPQH and as part of the program had access to work with a coach. Laura underpins everything with evidence based research. She gained world class training, advice and guidance from the best school leaders and subject matter experts with peer to peer support network to collectively develop teachers across all levels of the education system.
Laura has been empowered by receiving coaching which has given her the tools to provide teachers, students and stakeholders with mechanisms to improve social mobility and create dialogue engineered around curriculum, teaching and learning and raising attainment innovation.
Laura Fordham – Deputy Headteacher and Teacher of English at Bedford Academy
Ready to grow your career with us?
If you’re passionate about making a difference and looking for a place that values your development, take a look at our current vacancies.
