Growing our own: Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week

This National Apprenticeship Week, we celebrate the achievements of apprentices across Waterton Academy Trust, and recognise the powerful role apprenticeships play across our trust.

As both a multi-academy trust and a training provider, we are uniquely positioned to see the transformative impact apprenticeships have on individuals, on our schools and on the children in our care.

Waterton Academy Trust view apprenticeships as a means of developing talent from within, and as a strategic investment in the future of education.

Currently, there are 29 staff members across the trust undertaking apprenticeship training, ranging from Business Administration to Senior Leadership.

Some apprentices are at the beginning of their career and have chosen apprenticeships as a route into work; and others are colleagues who have been with the trust for several years, who have chosen apprenticeships to deepen their expertise, gain formal recognition of their skills or take the next step in their career journey.

As a training provider, we offer pathways to Teaching Assistants and Early Years colleagues inside and outside the Trust. Our work as a training provider enables us to build capacity, strengthen our workforce and contribute positively to the wider education sector.

At the heart of our apprenticeship programmes are the individuals who bring commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism to their roles every day. Apprentices contribute fresh perspectives, develop specialist skills and grow in confidence as they learn.

To all our colleagues undertaking apprenticeships: thank you for your commitment to developing your skills. Your dedication to learning and growth continues to make a difference to the children in your care.

To anyone considering their next steps in personal and professional development… get in touch! Admin@watertonacademytrust.org

Case Study

Calli Bird, TEACHH Lead, Churchfield Primary School
Pathway: I was a placement student at 16, and later volunteered at school. I then started as a TA which is when I completed my Level 3 Teaching Assistant course with distinction. Now, I’m in my current role as TEACCH lead and have recently started the L5 Specialist Teaching Assistant course. I was really interested in Level 5 as it has an SEN section and for my current role and interest it’s what I would like to gain more knowledge about.

Key Learning: Both apprenticeships have helped me develop as a teaching assistant. I learned ways to understand children in a crisis moment, and use techniques learned such as scaffolding every day. I think the biggest thing that both apprenticeships have helped me with is my confidence, not only in school but in day to day life. I find meeting other practitioners and people really interesting and exciting. I have spoken to people around school I may not normally get a chance to, as well as people from a range of other settings.

Next Steps: My next steps are to continue developing in my role as TEACCH Lead, taking on more responsibility such as planning and being more actively involved in provision development. In the future, I would like to explore progression into teaching.

Headteacher perspective: Apprenticeships have given staff access to high-quality, structured professional development that links directly to their day-to-day work. We’ve seen increased confidence, stronger practice, and a positive impact on our pupils.

Apprenticeships have supported career progression and retention, with several staff using apprenticeships to step into greater responsibility.