INNOVATIONS
We are very proud of the innovations we have developed as a Trust, be those supporting the development of our middle leaders, our safeguarding and respectful behaviour programme, Speak Up Speak Out, or working with national bodies and employers to fund estates improvements, such as the multi-sports court for students at UTC Heathrow.
Read more on some of our biggest innovations below.
Learning Philosophy and Attributes
Our award-winning Learning Philosophy is based on neuro-science and shapes our approach to teaching and learning. It recognises that only when all three elements of brain, emotion and motivation are activated does great learning happen.
We also focus on ensuring students develop the attributes that our employer partners tell us they want. This helps them to be ready for the next step when they leave us, be that further study, employment or apprenticeships/degree apprenticeships.
Digital futures programme
The Digital Futures programme has been created to help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to prepare for a career in the digital industries. On this programme students in our UTCs learn transferable engineering and IT skills that put them ahead of the competition when applying for jobs in these sectors. Employers working on the programme have found it to be hugely rewarding, both in terms of wellbeing, professional development and even recruiting apprentices.
The programme has won three global awards to date, and our first alumni students have begun their degree level apprenticeships with Digital Futures partners.
middle leader development programme
Middle leaders in ALET drive the implementation of strategy, and are the conduits for change and progress. They are the reason for our continued success and growth, and we want to help them achieve their career goals. Our middle leader development programme is highly unusual in a Trust of our size and reflects our commitment to becoming an Employer of Choice.
The programme consists of two pathways, one for early middle leaders and one for more experienced middle leaders. Both pathways set out a journey, incorporating both inward and outward looking learning and reflection, and allow you to set your own pace for progression. Each pathway comes with a paired set of standards, designed to demonstrate key behavioural standards middle leaders should strive to achieve.
fitness zone at
theale green school
Theale Green School’s Fitness Zone is a true example of Transforming Lives Through Learning. The fully equipped gym was funded through the Opening Schools Facilities Fund, for which the school was recommended by Get Berkshire Active. It is already having impact on the students and has transformed the life of one of our ex-students, who is running the Fitness Zone just a year after leaving our Sixth Form, and is on her way to realising a childhood dream of being a teacher!
Employer-funded multi-sports court at UTC heathrow
UTC Heathrow students benefitted from an employer partner’s incredible donation of a brand-new multi-sports court built on a previously inaccessible piece of land. Digital Future Programme partner CyrusOne. The company paid for and oversaw works to transform the land into a court, which the students enjoy every day palying a variety of sports including basketball, football, volleyball and badminton.
speak up speak out
In all ALET schools, we are all safe, respected and heard because we Speak Up, Speak Out.
Speak Up, Speak Out is a Trust-wide campaign designed to ensure that all students feel safe and happy at school, and know what to do if they, or someone they know, isn’t. It combines many strands, including the PSHE curriculum, safeguarding, anti-bullying and respectful behaviours. It involves assemblies, tutor sessions, posters around school and staff training, and flows through into our behaviour rewards and sanctions systems.