Professional Pathways
Once you are a part of the Eko trust family, there is a wide range of support available to expand your journey and grow your skills.
Where can I go?
This map shows some of the career pathways you can explore within the Trust.
How will I be supported?
Continuing Professional Development
At Eko trust, every member of staff is included in our approach to professional development.
We are committed to regular, high quality, reflective appraisals, allowing you to be signposted to professional development opportunities.
Training happens within each school, between schools, and across the entire Trust.
Every member of staff is entitled to:
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1-2-1 sessions with more experienced staff
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Regular coaching – at least 3 supportive appraisal meetings per year to discuss skills development, wellbeing, and career aspirations
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Training from expert leaders within the Trust
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A range of further options determined by staff needs
Leadership Development
The Eko Leadership Programme runs parallel to our professional development opportunities, revolving around values, attitudes, leadership behaviours, and knowledge & actions.
Our focus on holistic leadership means we strengthen our relationship with our selves, in order to build more sustainable relationships with others.
The Programme includes:
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One to one coaching
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Collaborative working
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Talent development programme
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Innovative group coaching programme
Case Studies
Read about how these members of staff have journeyed through the Trust.
Natalie Robinson
Headteacher
Earlham Primary School
Joining Eko Trust has been the best decision we have ever made as a school. I have seen Earlham benefit so much and go from strength to strength, and all staff benefit from the CPD provided through Eko. I personally have never experienced such an investment in my development and have been rejuvenated, inspired, and laughed a lot. The people who make up Eko are truly the best.
Natalie started at Earlham Primary School as a teacher, and had been Deputy Head for seven years when the then Headteacher was promoted to become an Executive Leader within Eko Trust. Natalie had the opportunity to apply for the role of Headteacher and was successful.
Natalie has loved Eko’s way of delivering CPD at all levels and has found this to be a huge inspiration. She has benefited from team building opportunities (including escape rooms!), leadership coaching (individual and group), and the opportunity to work collaboratively with kind, talented leaders across other schools.
Natalie intends to stay as Earlham’s Headteacher for a long time!
Montserrat Capdevila
Reception Teacher and Art Curriculum leader
Kaizen Primary School
I was moving back to London and when I was offered the job at Gainsborough, I did not think twice. The staff I met shared my enthusiasm for teaching and positive energy. I knew I was making the right choice.
It’s a very dynamic environment with an amazing group of teachers and supportive heads.
Montserrat taught overseas in a British school in Cairo for 11 years before she joined Eko Trust in 2017 as a Year 1 Teacher and Spanish Curriculum Coordinator at Gainsborough Primary School.
In 2019 she moved to another of the Trust’s schools, Kaizen, and is now a Reception Teacher and Art Curriculum Coordinator.
Montserrat has taken various development opportunities since she joined the Trust such as phonics training, safeguarding and child protection, and in 2018 she joined the North London Maths Hub.
Montserrat finds her role rewarding and challenging, and would like to undertake a middle leader’s qualification to support not only her teaching but the leading of a team.
She is very happy working with Eko Trust and feels that she is growing professionally as well as personally.
Farzana Raja
Nursery officer
Kaizen Primary School
Kaizen Primary School has given me opportunities to grow and develop throughout the years. I have been supported in my development and have attended many courses to further my knowledge and to help children's wellbeing.
Farzana joined Kaizen Primary School in 2010, after working with vulnerable children at a community school had prompted her to look for a challenge to further grow her experience.
As well as working as a Teaching Assistant, she joined the After School Club support staff and then became the Lead for that team.
In 2018 she was appointed as Lead of the SEND team at Kaizen. She then decided to take a different path and move into the nursery to see where this takes her.
She has been supported by the school in attending various courses, such as a Teaching Assistant course, Autism awareness courses, Semantics and First Aid. In addition to this, she has been able to attend twilight sessions to enhance topic knowledge.
She really enjoys working at Kaizen and feels that staff members are always happy to help others.
Samantha Hammond
Support worker
Eko Pathways School
I enjoy every day being different, watching the children learn and grow as individuals, making life’s choices that can be a challenge. I love their quirks, individualities, ups and downs, their uniqueness as a human being.
I thoroughly enjoy the everyday challenge as well as the rewards of working with the children and staff at Eko Pathways.
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