Chatsworth Multi-Academy Trust Praise Long-Standing Relationship with Apprenticeships at Salford City College

The Chatsworth Multi-Academy Trust was established to bring together high quality provision, professionals and practitioners in the Greater Manchester area in order to maximise the quality of education, care and opportunities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

The trust aims to provide an integrated and continuous pathway for the learning and development of children and young people from 0 – 25 years which is inclusive and aspirational. Throughout the Trust, individuals are valued for themselves, challenged to achieve excellence in everything they do and share a bond of mutual respect for others and the environment in which they learn.

Chatsworth Trust is a safe, open and progressive learning community in which all children and young people are at the heart of everything they do as they strive with energy, enthusiasm and enjoyment to achieve excellence together.

Tracey Holmes, Engagement Manager at Chatsworth, said: “We have an excellent staff retention rate across our Trust and offer opportunities for our staff to progress. This offer has been enhanced over many years by the work that we do with Apprenticeships at Salford City College. We have over 34 staff who have completed courses through the College and who have gone on to further their career within the Trust.

“Over 75% of staff that have completed an apprenticeship with us have progressed within our Trust to TA3’s, higher-level Teaching Assistants and fully-qualified Teachers. Our school environment is very different from mainstream schools and colleges and staff require a certain skill set in order to carry out their role.

“We have worked closely with the same Assessors from Apprenticeships at Salford City College for over ten years, and they have been instrumental in supporting our apprentices to achieve their goals. The Assessors have an excellent working knowledge of our Trust and of what is required when working with young people with complex needs, this enables them to offer bespoke support, advice and guidance to our apprentices.”

Tracey also sought funding support from the Salford Skills for Business Apprenticeship Fund. The fund, set-up by partners at Salford City Council, Apprenticeships at Salford City College and a range of employers across the City, was set-up to support small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with the cost of apprenticeships.

To date, the fund is not far off half a million pounds thanks to its partners at the Council and College, Bupa, Kingsland Drinks, Salford CCG, Salix Homes, Seddon, University of Salford, dock10, Sodexo, Morson Group and Compass Apprenticeships. Over the past year the fund has supported 24 organisations and 34 individuals to undertake an apprenticeship.

Tracey said “The support from the Salford Skills for Business Apprenticeship Fund has been instrumental in our Trust reaching the aims and objectives set out in our school development plan and in developing and retaining our workforce.”

If you want to find out more, contact the Apprenticeship Team on 0161 631 5555 or email apprenticeships@salfordcc.ac.uk.