Colleague Benefits and Wellbeing
WPT has developed a core benefits and wellbeing offer that all colleagues are entitled to. From a leading pension to Westfield Health access; our annual Staff Awards to termly wellbeing events, the wellbeing of our staff underpins every aspect of how we operate.
Staff Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Generous Local Government (support staff) and Teacher Pension Schemes
- Westfield Health subscription including:
- Togetherall – a confidential, safe online forum
- Doctorline – 24/7 access to a GP
- 24-hour advice and information line
- 1:1 counselling (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy)
- Ongoing Professional Development
- Apprenticeship Opportunities
- Specific job families and identified progression routes
- Annual WPT Staff Awards
- Termly wellbeing events
- Directed Time calendar
- Innovative Induction programme
- System training on topics including Google, Bromcom and the Intranet
- Free flu jabs
Colleague Testimonial
“
I came to Wickersley School as a pupil for 7 years and after three years studying in London, I applied to do my PGCE via Schools Direct. I did my placements at WSSC and RCS and was then offered a job at Wickersley School.
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to teach A Level Statistics early on in my career and have since helped to develop other A Level teachers and the A Level curriculum within the department. I was then provided with the opportunity of mentoring some staff in their initial teacher training. After my first year, I was offered the middle leadership course and within two years of teaching I undertook the role of Teaching and Learning Lead for Mathematics providing me with the opportunity to work with teachers at other schools in Rotherham. I then proceeded to take on the role of numeracy lead whilst a colleague was on maternity leave.
Two years ago, I became the Director of Mathematics for Wickersley Partnership Trust. In my first year of this position, I was supported immensely by Senior Leaders across the Trust and was encouraged to study for my NPQSL with Learners First. I have also been provided with the release time to work with other colleagues across the nation who lead Maths across Multi-Academy Trusts. In the last few months, I have been made full time Director to provide more time to the role. I absolutely love my job and would not be here without the support from Wickersley Partnership Trust and the leaders around me believing me and providing me with every opportunity to develop and succeed.
“
Laura Sharp
Director of Mathematics, WPT
WPT Staff Awards
Our flagship colleague event – The WPT Staff Awards – takes place annually at Magna, Rotherham, and celebrates the hard work, commitment and dedication of all staff across the Trust. The night, which is heavily subsidised by Trust Sponsors, features our staff awards as well as entertainment and a three course meal. A raffle is also held, with some amazing prizes on offer such as hotel stays, iPads, Amazon vouchers and sporting event tickets (again, all provided by our sponsors).
Mental Health & Wellbeing
We believe that the mental health and wellbeing of staff is key to the success and sustainability of our organisation.
We aim to promote and maintain the mental health and wellbeing of all employees through workplace practices, and encourage employees to take responsibility for their own mental health and wellbeing.
The Trust is committed to:
- Developing an ethos that drives positive mental health
- Promoting an open culture around mental health by increasing awareness, challenging stigma and empowering employees as champions and role models
- Increase organisational confidence and capability, through mental health literacy and school based ‘Mental Health Champions’ trained in all aspects of mental health
WPT works in conjunction with and provides all colleagues with access to Westfield Health, drawing on their expertise and knowledge in improving employee mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
We also operate a ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ initiative, with informative emails signposting colleagues to help, support and offers, as well as termly Wellbeing Wednesday events such as Christmas Wreath making workshops.
Workforce Development
Our Workforce Development scheme is designed to develop and nurture all colleagues, regardless of their position, across the Trust. We want our colleagues to perform to the best of their ability in their day-to-day role, and encourage staff to progress on to the next stage of their career should they wish to. Our overall aim is to support our employees to become the very best version of themselves.
Our Workforce Development program aims to:
- Build and enhance expertise, and secure continuous growth and improvement
- Enable reflection on strengths and successes, and areas for further growth
- Recognise and promote a culture of professionalism and recognition
We do this by focusing on:
- Employees carrying out self-reflection to help focus on key expectations
- Employees having joint ownership of their commitments and objectives which are detailed in their own professional growth plan
- Regular progress ‘check ins’ with their Line Manager
- Empowering Line Managers and leaders to coach and support employees to become the very best versions of themselves at work
- The opportunity for employees to reflect in an ongoing way
Recruitment and Retention
WPT operates an innovative Recruitment and Retention scheme.
Each teaching and support staff department has developed a Recruitment Pack, which details everything a potential recruit needs to know about the Trust, subject or area of specialism.
We strive to retain our best colleagues, and have processes in place to ensure that where possible, staff stay with us. Being a Trust of 13 schools means that there are ample opportunities for progression within departments, and our use of System Leadership for teachers and job families for support staff means clear lines of promotion are identified.
Staff Induction
We host one WPT Staff Induction event each term, where all new colleagues joining us that term are invited to a half-day session where they are officially welcomed into the WPT family. The event allows new colleagues the opportunity to meet the CEO and senior leaders of WPT, and gives them an insight into the Trust, covering topics including:
- Trust background, history, structures central team roles
- CPD and career progression opportunities
- System Leadership
- Curriculum including marking and feedback
- Safeguarding
Our Workforce Development leads look after our new inductees once they start at their school, and follow a structured induction programme that takes them through their first six months with us. At the end of this induction process, colleagues should be equipped with all the information they need to fully integrate within our communities.
Colleague Testimonial
“
My career journey within WPT began at Wickersley School & Sports College in 2008, where I joined as an NQT in the English Department. Wickersley was a wonderful place to learn my trade, as workforce development was always a priority and opportunities to gain experience as an aspiring leader were aplenty.
Six years on, when WPT was still in its infancy, I made the switch to Rawmarsh Community School. Here, I would discover the true value of working as part of a family of schools. This was especially true as I moved into more outward facing roles as part of the Senior Leadership Team. Being able to collaborate with colleagues within our local feeder schools and WPT partner schools proved hugely valuable in my development as a professional.
After seven and a half thoroughly enjoyable years at Rawmarsh, I made the move to my third WPT secondary school to take up the position of Deputy Headteacher at Clifton in 2022. Having the opportunity to fulfil my ambitions within WPT is testament to the support and training that I have received over the years.
In my experience, at WPT, the next opportunity really is just around the corner and, as the Trust continues to evolve year on year, it is as exciting as ever to be a part of it
“
Jamie Skirrow
Deputy Headteacher, Clifton Community School
Staff Wellbeing and the Curriculum
When we make curriculum decisions, at any stage, a key consideration is the mental health and wellbeing of all staff.
The development of System Leadership at all levels is supporting the reduction in staff workload for both teaching and support staff whilst supporting the provision of staff development to ensure the best provision for our students.
Our BRAG marking system reduces the amount of time that a teacher spends on marking and feedback, while at the same time ensuring that students get high quality feedback. The time taken previously marking books is now invested in planning and delivering bespoke feedback based around identified misconceptions.
