FET is an established and developing MAT of 6 Special schools. I lead a talented and committed staff group as we strive to provide a safe and supportive environment for us to care for and educate our children.
Our aim is to create a cohesive team of Trust Central staff and school staff, working together, fiercely loyal to each other. We are committed to developing local school identity and ethos, adopting strategies for school improvement that build on and enhance local reputation, raise standards and respond to the needs and aspirations of those we serve. We care about our staff, their learning, development and well-being.
Our schools are different in many ways. They serve different communities, support pupils with a wide range of needs, and each has its own unique identity and strengths. What connects us is a shared belief that every child deserves the very best education, care and opportunities, regardless of their starting point or the challenges they may face. Many of the children and young people we serve have complex additional needs, and our colleagues across the Trust demonstrate extraordinary skill, commitment and compassion every day in helping them succeed.
At Forward Education Trust, we often talk about being one team. That isn’t just a phrase; it’s one of the things that makes our Trust special.
Three values sit at the heart of our culture:
Working Together with Purpose – we collaborate with clarity and commitment, building strong partnerships that drive meaningful change and create opportunities for all.
Nurturing Potential – we invest in the growth of every individual, providing the support, skills and encouragement needed to unlock talent and inspire confidence.
and
Inspiring Success – we set high expectations and lead with passion, empowering learners and staff to achieve excellence and shape brighter futures.
These values guide how we treat one another, how we support our pupils and how we continue to improve as an organisation. If this appeals to you, you may want to come and work for us.
We work collaboratively. We share ideas, expertise and resources. We celebrate each other’s successes and support one another through challenges. We know that by working together, we can achieve far more than any school could achieve alone.
You will find people across the Trust who are generous with their time, willing to help, and committed to continuous improvement. We encourage curiosity, professional growth and innovation. We believe that when our staff thrive, our pupils thrive too.
As people start to work with us, they get to see that mission, values and expectations are not statements that sit in a document or on a wall. They shape how we work together every day. Our values define who we are and all of our schools subscribe to those same values.
We acknowledge the individual characteristics of each of our schools and the different needs of every child in school. We encourage a dynamic approach and we want our schools to “shout” about the good things that happen every day, the marvellous achievements of our children and the journey that each and every child is making with the support and care of our teams.
For our students and our staff, we aim to help them to be the best version of themselves that they can be.
I am very excited about the challenges ahead. I would welcome the chance to tell you about how you can join the future of Forward Education Trust.