Proud of the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience
Caroline Jeynes, Deputy Headteacher at Cherry Orchard Primary School shares her previous experience of working with three other schools within The Rivers CofE Academy Trust as part of the School Improvement team.
"My experience of working with three other MAT schools as part of the school improvement team has been really positive. Being asked to do the role was a little daunting at first but it made me feel proud that I was being given a chance to share my knowledge and experience and that other people felt that I was in a position to do that and would trust me to support others schools."
Personal and professional development
"Being given the chance to work with other staff has allowed me to develop my interpersonal skills. My confidence to deliver training has grown. I know that I am now able to talk to people in a range of situations about both positive and negative aspects of their teaching/planning. The teachers and head teachers that I have worked with have been appreciative of what I have done and that in turn has benefitted my own school. I have worked in classrooms outside of my age phase, which has given me the chance to know more about my subject. The work that I have carried out has also shown me other ways of doing things that I can bring back to use in my own school and teaching which benefits our staff and children. I feel that being out of the classroom for these times has given me a different viewpoint and allowed me to broaden my horizons, as I have seen different approaches by both teachers and head teachers/subject leaders. It has allowed the building of bridges between our schools, and the ability to work together, which can only benefit the whole MAT.
I would recommend everyone has the chance to work with another teacher/school/setting. It strengthens relationships and supports/develops knowledge, both of which will benefit yourself, your school and the MAT.