OUR SCHOOL STAFF!

What we do for school staff

When you work in a Connect Academy Trust school, you get the support, training and direction you need – allowing your talents to shine.

Teacher helping pupils

We know that the success of any school depends on the people who show up every day to make it all happen. That’s why we nurture and invest in our schools’ staff, enabling them to be their best.

When your school is part of the Connect family, you will benefit from a carefully calibrated system of training and development. That means having access to the expertise, support and resources you need.

Plus, we’re committed to a rigorous development and training programme for staff – whether you’re a teacher, caretaker, administrative assistant or leader. This will help you advance your skills, benefit from specialist expertise, and get the input you need to enable you to perform at your best.

Benefits for our staff within schools

Expert support and guidance

Teacher and pupil sat on classroom floor
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Inclusive workplace culture

Pupils in assembly hall
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Excellent training opportunities

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Investment in professional development

Teacher and pupil lighting a bonfire
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Curriculum support for teaching teams

Pupils studying ocean
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“There are great opportunities for staff to develop and grow, and we have an innovative approach to appraisal that increases staff ownership.”

Claire Hardisty

Headteacher

"We want the best for everyone who works in Connect Academy Trust. For our children to thrive, our staff need to feel confident, valued and encouraged in their roles. To that end, the Trust is committed to developing a professional learning community, where everyone has the right to be nurtured. We also want the best people to be working in Trust, so we develop talent and strength from within, whilst also being keen to bring in outstanding people from outside the Trust."

Sarah Ryder

School Improvement Lead at Connect

"I feel incredibly supported. It is great being a part of a Trust as there are opportunities to work with many other talented, wise and supportive people."

Miss Davies

Year 6 Teacher

“The great teamwork and collaboration means that all schools contribute towards and benefit from Trust-wide support.”

Samantha Barker

Headteacher

"It has felt good to be part of a larger team. I know I can contact other members of the Trust to collaborate, support each other and share our knowledge."

Mrs Monk

Year 4 Teacher

The Connect Team

Our trust succeeds by combining the strengths of several talented people, each with their own area of skill and experience.

Lisa Braund

Lisa Braund

Health and Safety Manager

Liz Bennett

Liz Bennett

School Operations Lead

Georgia Dingley

Georgia Dingley

School Operations Lead

Steve Collins

Steve Collins

Maintenance Operative (Torbay)

Claire Hardisty

Claire Hardisty

Headteacher

Hanne Knight

Hanne Knight

Trustee

Sonia Blandford

Sonia Blandford

Member

Ben Wallis

Ben Wallis

Headteacher

Lee Atkinson

Lee Atkinson

Facilities Manager

Lesley Anderson

Lesley Anderson

Marketing Consultant

Denise Harding

Denise Harding

Finance and Procurement Officer

Sarah Fowler

Sarah Fowler

Member

Christian Jenkins

Christian Jenkins

Chair of Members

Adam Losonczy

Adam Losonczy

IT Technician

Nicola Bridge

Nicola Bridge

Member

Marcia Varney

Marcia Varney

Senior School Operations Lead

Adam Hedley

Adam Hedley

IT Area Manager (Plymouth)

Stephanie Bulley

Stephanie Bulley

Executive Assistant

Sam Barker

Sam Barker

Headteacher

Sam Jones

Sam Jones

Trustee

Sarah Goodman

Sarah Goodman

Finance Officer

Stuart Bellworthy

Stuart Bellworthy

CEO & Trust Leader

Sarah Ryder

Sarah Ryder

School Improvement Lead

Kate Reeves

Kate Reeves

Trustee

Steve Widdecombe

Steve Widdecombe

Member

Jon Whittam

Jon Whittam

IT Technician

Shaun Nicholls

Shaun Nicholls

Headteacher

Josh Hughes

Josh Hughes

IT Area Manager (Torbay)

Kim Shannon

Kim Shannon

Finance Officer

Nikki Graham

Nikki Graham

School Operations Lead

Susie Carroll

Susie Carroll

Headteacher

Lee LeMarquand

Lee LeMarquand

Trustee

Hollie Strathearn

Hollie Strathearn

Administrative Assistant

Anamaria Avasilcai

Anamaria Avasilcai

Management Accountant

Phil Taylor-Jones

Phil Taylor-Jones

Desktop Support Engineer

Rachel Field

Rachel Field

Chief Operating Officer

Becky Brookes

Becky Brookes

School Operations Lead

Paul Osborne

Paul Osborne

Vice Chair of Trustees

Andrew Swainson

Andrew Swainson

Headteacher

Ian Mitchell

Ian Mitchell

Chair of Trustees

Giles Freathy

Giles Freathy

Trustee

Jon Kestell

Jon Kestell

Trust Wellbeing Consultant

Hayley Gilbride

Hayley Gilbride

Headteacher

Louise Hudd

Louise Hudd

Finance Officer

Julie Drew

Julie Drew

HR Manager

Tamsin Lamb

Tamsin Lamb

Trustee

Take a look at the positions currently available at the Connect Academy Trust.

Our vacancies
Thornbury Pupil as TeacherManadon Vale Pupil as Teacher