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Gilbert Ward School is part of Prosper Learning Trust, which is a small but growing Multi Academy Trust that is committed to making a difference to the pupils that we work with.

The Trust believes in creating compassionate and nurturing working environments where our staff can reach their full potential. We are looking for talented individuals who share our determination to give our pupils the very best educational opportunities to enable them to achieve their full potential.

We think we have an amazing team but don’t just take our word for it.

Staff Benefits

Our staff are members of our Trust family and we believe it is very important to look after our family.

	Investors in People We believe that the success of our organisation begins and ends with our people. If we make work better for everyone, our staff are then able to focus on our pupils, who are at the centre of everything we do.
	Continuous Professional Development We invest heavily in supporting staff development across the Trust and believe that developing our support staff is just as important as developing our teaching staff. We run Trust wide CPD programmes and provide extensive opportunities for collaborations including a Trust wide Teaching and Learning Network. We have access to the Apprentice Levy and use this to support our staff CPD.
	Support You will be supported every step of the way, with unparalleled line management, performance management, training opportunities and peer to peer support. Our staff are encouraged and challenged to achieve their professional goals, and have access to resources and sessions to support them to succeed.
	The Trust Family As a growing Trust Family, there is a multitude of opportunities for career development and growth across Prosper Learning Trust – allowing you to develop your experience and expertise in a variety of contexts through secondments and promotions.
	Flexible Working As a Trust, we believe that having a work-life balance is key in promoting positive wellbeing for our staff. Flexible working opportunities can ensure that staff can work around their lifestyle needs, which in turn benefits staff career progression within the Trust. The flexible working opportunities we can provide include part time hours, job share working patterns, phased retirements, and support in returning to work after a career break. We can also offer flexible working across the year through term-time only or full-year-round contracts. Please note that flexible working arrangements are dependent on specific roles and each request is evaluated on an individual case-by-case basis.
	Bike2Work Scheme This scheme allows you to save up to 42% on a new bike and/or equipment for work. You choose a bike, hire it for an agreed length of time, with interest free credit, then purchase it for a fraction of it’s original value. The Cycle to Work scheme operates as a salary sacrifice employee benefit. This means that you agree to give up part of your salary in exchange for a benefit – in this instance the benefit of a bike and/or accessory. The salary sacrifice is taken from your gross salary (before tax) which means that you will pay less income tax and national insurance. Available to all employees after successful completion of your probationary period.
	Educational Staff Discounts Websites Every staff member at Prosper Learning Trust is qualified for exclusive educational staff discounts via Discounts for Teachers and Teacher Perks. These discounts are available with a vast number of retailers including: Shopping (Adidas, The Body Shop, Apple, WHSmith, etc.) Travel (TUI, Haven, Booking.com, Trainline, ATG Tickets, etc.) Finance (insurance, financial planning, utilities, etc.) Food and Drink (Ocado, Gousto, Dominos, B&M, Costa, etc.) And so many more across the two websites
	Pension Scheme All teaching staff are enrolled into the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, Prosper Learning Trust commits to making generous employer contributions, substantially increasing the contributions to your pension. All support staff are enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme, Prosper Learning Trust commits to making generous employer contributions, substantially increasing the contributions to your pension. You don’t pay tax or national insurance on your contributions and your contributions are deducted automatically before tax is calculated. Life assurance cover is provided for employees as part of the pension scheme, 3 x salary life assurance to cover death in service. Your spouse or civil partner will receive a pension after your death. All staff are entitled to opt out of the pension scheme should they wish to.
	Free Wills Support staff can access a free Will writing service with Accord Legal Service.
	Occupational Sickness Pay Scheme Teachers’ national sick pay entitlements, set out in the Burgundy Book, give a sliding scale entitlement according to aggregated length of service, as follows: During the first year of service: Full pay for 25 working days and, after completing four calendar months’ service, half pay for 50 working days. During the second year of service: Full pay for 50 working days and half pay for 50 working days. During the third year of service: Full pay for 75 working days and half pay for 75 working days. During the fourth and successive years: Full pay for 100 working days and half pay for 100 working days Support Staff are entitled to receive sick pay for the following periods: During 1st year of service 1 month’s full pay and, after completing 4 months’ service, 2 months’ half pay During 2nd year of service 2 months’ full pay and 2 months’ half pay During 3rd year of service 4 months’ full pay and 4 months’ half pay During 4th and 5th year of service 5 months’ full pay and 5 months’ half pay After 5 years’ service 6 months’ full pay and 6 months’ half pay
	Real Living Wage The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage for our lowest paid workers. We appreciate all of our employees and the level of commitment and the type of work they do. The Real Living Wage rises in line with the wage announced every year by the national body, the Living Wage Foundation. Currently this is £12 per hour. Full details on the Real Living Wage can be found on their website here.