Working for DDAT
Thank you for showing an interest in working for DDAT.
Our Trust was established in 2014 for schools choosing to become an academy as well as for those who found themselves in need of a sponsor.
DDAT Whole-Trust Conference, November 2024
More than 650 school staff marked our 10th anniversary with our first professional conference at the home of Derby County, Pride Park. Gold medal winning para-triathlete Steve Judge and Dame Alison Peacock, chief executive of the Chartered College of Teaching, were keynote speakers.
Disability Confident Committed
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:
- ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
- communicating and promoting vacancies
- offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria
for the job - anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
- supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long-term
health condition, enabling them to stay in work - at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people
Find out more about Disability Confident at: www.gov.uk/disability-confident
Governance
DDAT values local accountability through a Local Academy Committee. In the circumstances where a school is less than Good, DDAT will take responsibility for governance and work to quickly rebuild the capacity of leaders at all levels so that the school regains earned autonomy.
Terms and conditions
DDAT aims to ensure consistency of terms and conditions at the time of conversion and also for new staff joining after conversion. As such all staff should be treated no less favourably than they would within a LA school whilst working for DDAT.
Curriculum
All DDAT schools follow the National Curriculum and supplement it with a vast range of extra-curricular activities which bring learning to life for all pupils.
Support
DDAT provides business, legal, finance, building, HR and governance support through a hub team. Our schools are only one call away from the help they need.
External partners
DDAT works closely with external partners such as Local Authorities, Universities and Teaching Schools. DDAT brokers support across church and community schools and purchase services from a range of providers, including the LA, in the best interest of the school. DDAT encourages full involvement with other schools and regional initiatives.
School improvement
All schools, including Good and Outstanding schools, receive a minimum of six visits per year from one of our own team of school improvement professionals. All of our own team undertaking these minimum visits have experience as Head Teacher, Local Authority Adviser/Partner and Inspector on behalf of Ofsted. Additional school-school and system-wide support is actively encouraged with other DDAT schools, the diocese, one of our many partners, or a proven partner identified by the school. Our diocesan team also includes people with considerable experience of Church school inspection.
Continuous professional development (CPD)
DDAT believe that all staff should continue to grow as professionals and as people. Our ethos of working to fulfil every individual’s potential applies to staff as well as to pupils.
DDAT staff are involved in a continuing process of improvement and we are committed to fostering a positive belief and practice in continuous learning. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an important way of motivating and developing our staff and a carefully planned programme of DDAT CPD improves standards, raises morale and assists with recruitment, retention and succession planning.
All those involved in our school community will have an entitlement to equality of access to high-quality induction and continuing professional development. The focus of DDAT CPD is on improving standards and the quality of teaching and learning. DDAT will ensure that mechanisms are in place to disseminate good practice in CPD that supports and improves teaching and learning.
