Career Progression Within a Multi-Academy Trust

Working within a multi-academy trust can provide access to a broader professional network than working within a single school. Staff can learn from colleagues across several settings, share effective practice and explore new responsibilities as their skills and experience develop.

Catalyst Academies Trust partners with primary schools across Thurrock, Essex, to raise standards and improve outcomes for pupils. Its focus is on transforming low-performing schools into high-performing schools through strong leadership and excellent teaching.

Consistently ranked within the top 5% of trusts nationally for Key Stage 2 results, Catalyst is committed to giving every child access to the best possible education. Supporting teachers, trainees, apprentices and school leaders to develop is an important part of achieving that aim.

What Is a Multi-Academy Trust?

A multi-academy trust is a group of schools that work together under one organisation. Each school serves its own pupils and local community, but the schools share expertise, leadership, values and resources.

Catalyst Academies Trust works with five primary schools in Thurrock:

• Aveley Academy

• Benyon Primary

• Dilkes Academy

• Quarry Hill Academy

• Somers Heath Primary

Being part of a group of schools can create more opportunities for collaboration and professional development. Teachers and support staff can learn from colleagues outside their immediate school, while successful approaches to teaching, leadership and pupil support can be shared across the trust.

Career progression does not necessarily mean leaving one organisation to find a new challenge. Within a multi-academy trust, staff may be able to develop their careers while remaining part of the same wider professional community.

Starting a Career Through a Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship

For school leavers, career changers and people who want to gain experience in education, a teaching assistant apprenticeship can provide an accessible introduction to working in a primary school.

The Teaching Assistant Courses in Essex offered by Catalyst Academies Trust combines practical school experience with weekly college learning delivered on-site at Dilkes Academy.

Apprentices develop the core knowledge and skills needed to support pupils and teachers effectively. Training covers areas including:

• Child development

• Safeguarding

• Communication

• Reading support

• The everyday responsibilities of a teaching assistant

This apprenticeship focuses specifically on preparing participants for classroom support work. It allows apprentices to build confidence with pupils, understand how a primary school operates and learn how teaching assistants contribute to children’s progress.

It is a distinct pathway from teacher training. Completing a teaching assistant apprenticeship does not itself lead to Qualified Teacher Status, a teaching degree or a PGCE. However, the experience gained may help someone decide whether they want to continue working as a teaching assistant or explore a separate route into teaching later.

Qualifying Through a Primary Teaching Degree Apprenticeship

Applicants who want to qualify as primary school teachers but do not already have a degree may be interested in the Primary Teaching Degree Apprenticeship in Essex.

This is a separate, employment-based teacher training programme delivered in partnership with the University of Brighton. It should not be confused with the Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship.

The Primary Teaching Degree Apprenticeship lasts 36 months. Participants are employed by Catalyst Academies Trust and placed within one of its primary schools in Thurrock, including schools in Grays, South Ockendon and Aveley.

Apprentices earn a salary of £24,000 per year and do not pay tuition fees. Throughout the programme, they work towards:

• A BA Honours degree in Primary Education

• Qualified Teacher Status

• A PGCE qualification

• Training aligned with the national Core Content Framework

Participants are immersed in classroom life from the beginning of the apprenticeship. Their teaching responsibilities increase gradually as they develop their knowledge, confidence and practical skills.

The programme combines university study, structured classroom practice and high-quality mentoring. It is designed specifically for people who want to qualify as teachers while earning a salary and gaining substantial experience in a school setting.

Training Through Catalyst Academies Trust

Graduates and career changers who already hold a degree can explore a different route through Catalyst’s Initial Teacher Training provision.

Catalyst Academies Trust, formerly known as Teach Thurrock, is a school-based teacher training programme delivered in partnership with the University of Greenwich and the University of Derby.

This programme combines hands-on classroom experience with academic guidance from experienced teachers, headteachers, mentors and university lecturers.

Trainees can choose primary education pathways for the 3–7 or 5–11 age ranges. Assessed placements are tailored to the selected route, and participants train in Catalyst schools from the beginning of the programme.

Support includes:

• A designated Initial Teacher Education Manager

• A structured induction programme

• Guidance from pre-application through to school placement

• Opportunities to complete school experience

• A planned subject knowledge development programme

• Visits to prospective placement schools

• Personalised mentoring and coaching

Depending on the selected pathway, trainees can achieve Qualified Teacher Status and a PGCE with up to 60 Master’s credits.

Catalyst reports that 100% of its trainees have gone on to work in schools in Essex, with 95% securing positions within its partner schools in Thurrock. This provides a clear pathway from training into employment, although individual vacancies and appointments will depend on the roles available.

Developing as an Early Career Teacher

Qualifying as a teacher is an important achievement, but it is only the beginning of professional development.

During the early stages of their careers, teachers continue developing their subject knowledge, classroom management and ability to adapt lessons for pupils with different needs. Regular feedback, effective mentoring and opportunities to observe experienced practitioners can support this transition.

Working within a multi-academy trust can give early career teachers access to colleagues across several schools. They may be able to share ideas with teachers working in similar year groups, attend coordinated training and learn from a wider range of classroom practice.

Catalyst’s emphasis on strong leadership and excellent teaching helps create an environment in which staff development supports better outcomes for pupils.

Early career teachers and experienced applicants can use the teaching vacancies in Essex page to explore current opportunities across all five partner primary schools.

Moving Into Subject or Middle Leadership

As teachers gain experience, they may begin taking responsibility beyond their own classrooms.

Depending on the opportunities available, progression could include roles such as:

• Subject leader

• Year-group leader

• Phase leader

• Curriculum coordinator

• Special educational needs coordinator

• Mentor for trainees or early career teachers

These responsibilities allow teachers to contribute to curriculum development, support colleagues and influence teaching across a wider part of the school.

Within a multi-academy trust, experienced subject and middle leaders may also have opportunities to share their knowledge with colleagues in other schools. They could contribute to training, professional discussions or improvement work across the trust.

This broader experience can help staff prepare for future senior leadership roles.

Progressing Into Senior Leadership

Experienced teachers and middle leaders may eventually progress into positions such as assistant headteacher, deputy headteacher or headteacher.

A multi-academy trust can provide exposure to different schools, communities and improvement priorities. Leaders may contribute to trust-wide projects, support colleagues in another academy or learn from headteachers who have successfully raised standards in challenging circumstances.

This is particularly relevant to Catalyst’s purpose. The trust focuses on transforming low-performing schools through strong leadership, effective teaching and a clear commitment to pupil achievement.

Staff working within this environment may develop valuable experience in school improvement as well as classroom teaching and day-to-day leadership.

Find Your Next Opportunity With Catalyst Academies Trust

There is no single route into or through a career in education.

Someone may begin with the Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship and build a rewarding career in classroom support. An applicant without a degree may qualify as a teacher through the Primary Teaching Degree Apprenticeship. A graduate may train through Teach Catalyst, while an experienced teacher may join the trust ready to take on further responsibility.

These programmes are separate pathways with different entry requirements, qualifications and outcomes. Together, they allow people at different stages to explore opportunities across Catalyst’s schools.

Visit the teaching vacancies page to find current teaching, support staff and apprenticeship opportunities across Thurrock, Essex.