Support and Career Development

Working for CAT

At Cheshire Academies Trust (CAT), we want our people to have the knowledge needed to deliver an excellent education – and the confidence to innovate, create, and challenge the status quo. No matter where you are in your career journey, we're committed to helping you develop your expertise, gain new skills, and make a real difference to the pupils you work with.

Whether you're just beginning or you're a seasoned professional, CAT is here to support your growth and empower you to inspire the next generation.

Our Professional Development Programmes

At Cheshire Academies Trust, we believe in nurturing talent and fostering leadership at every level. Our professional development programme is a blend of in-house expertise and bespoke training from external agencies, designed to support every member of our school community in reaching their full potential.

Programmes we offer include:

• National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)
  Aspiring leaders receive support to gain the confidence and skills needed for the next step in their careers, ensuring our future school leaders are well-prepared for every challenge.

• Teaching-Assistant Support- MITA
  Practical, hands-on training to enhance the impact of our talented support staff.

• Middle Leader Development Package

  Support for middle leaders to enable them to grow their talents and build skills ready for access to senior leader positions.

• SQM and Strategic Planning

  Training for leaders in strategic project management to ensure they have a laser focus on development and mapping strategic priorities for their schools.

• Leadership Development Package
  From Next Gen Leaders to experienced Headteachers, CAT provides tailored support packages to enable leaders to focus on their own professional development. We give schools Headteachers and Deputy Headteachers access to an individual development sum of money, coaching, conferences and study tours.