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

Teacher and pupil holding a chicken
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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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“Whilst all schools invest in the trust values, each school is encouraged to develop and deliver the curriculum in their unique way.”

Susie Carroll

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

"There's a supportive and caring atmosphere. Senior leaders are aware of staff and pupil wellbeing and always consider ways this can be improved. I feel listened to."

Debbie Baker

Assistant Headteacher

“The Trust and its schools are connected. It is a collaborative way of working whilst schools still have lots of autonomy.”

Hayley Gilbride

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

The Connect Team

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

Lesley Anderson

Lesley Anderson

Marketing Consultant

Lee Atkinson

Lee Atkinson

Facilities Manager

Nikki Graham

Nikki Graham

School Operations Lead

Ben Wallis

Ben Wallis

Headteacher

Sam Jones

Sam Jones

Trustee

Adam Hedley

Adam Hedley

IT Area Manager (Plymouth)

Phil Taylor-Jones

Phil Taylor-Jones

Desktop Support Engineer

Tamsin Lamb

Tamsin Lamb

Trustee

Susie Carroll

Susie Carroll

Headteacher

Claire Hardisty

Claire Hardisty

Headteacher

Andrew Swainson

Andrew Swainson

Headteacher

Marcia Varney

Marcia Varney

Senior School Operations Lead

Sarah Goodman

Sarah Goodman

Finance Officer

Jon Kestell

Jon Kestell

Trust Wellbeing Consultant

Sarah Fowler

Sarah Fowler

Member

Christian Jenkins

Christian Jenkins

Chair of Members

Lisa Braund

Lisa Braund

Health and Safety Manager

Sonia Blandford

Sonia Blandford

Member

Sam Barker

Sam Barker

Headteacher

Adam Losonczy

Adam Losonczy

IT Technician

Kim Shannon

Kim Shannon

Finance Officer

Jon Whittam

Jon Whittam

IT Technician

Hanne Knight

Hanne Knight

Trustee

Kate Reeves

Kate Reeves

Trustee

Ian Mitchell

Ian Mitchell

Chair of Trustees

Denise Harding

Denise Harding

Finance and Procurement Officer

Steve Collins

Steve Collins

Maintenance Operative (Torbay)

Becky Brookes

Becky Brookes

School Operations Lead

Shaun Nicholls

Shaun Nicholls

Headteacher

Stephanie Bulley

Stephanie Bulley

Executive Assistant

Nicola Bridge

Nicola Bridge

Member

Hayley Gilbride

Hayley Gilbride

Headteacher

Georgia Dingley

Georgia Dingley

School Operations Lead

Giles Freathy

Giles Freathy

Trustee

Anamaria Avasilcai

Anamaria Avasilcai

Management Accountant

Lee LeMarquand

Lee LeMarquand

Trustee

Josh Hughes

Josh Hughes

IT Area Manager (Torbay)

Paul Osborne

Paul Osborne

Vice Chair of Trustees

Julie Drew

Julie Drew

HR Manager

Stuart Bellworthy

Stuart Bellworthy

CEO & Trust Leader

Sarah Ryder

Sarah Ryder

School Improvement Lead

Steve Widdecombe

Steve Widdecombe

Member

Hollie Strathearn

Hollie Strathearn

Administrative Assistant

Louise Hudd

Louise Hudd

Finance Officer

Liz Bennett

Liz Bennett

School Operations Lead

Rachel Field

Rachel Field

Chief Operating Officer

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

Our vacancies
Thornbury Pupil as TeacherManadon Vale Pupil as Teacher