At the Good Shepherd Trust (GST), informal support networks have become a key factor in ensuring the success and well-being of staff, students, and school communities. By fostering collaboration and connection, the Trust allows school leaders and staff to support one another in practical and meaningful ways, beyond formal structures.

Supporting Each Other Across the Trust

Mark Hazzard, Head of School at Kirkland and Ellenborough, highlights how the Trust’s structure enables collaboration:

“School networks can support each other, particularly around workload. The structure of the Trust allows us to have executive heads that can work across schools, build a network, and share best practices. This means that our heads of schools, headteachers, and school SLT can focus on the education, the children, and the community they are in.”

This cross-school collaboration not only alleviates administrative burdens but also fosters a culture where sharing innovative ideas and strategies is the norm.

Encouraging Everyone to Flourish

Donna Hawey, Head of School at Dean School, echoes this supportive culture:

“We encourage everyone to flourish and be the best version of themselves, whether that’s leaders, staff, pupils, or the wider community.”

At GST, the emphasis is on nurturing talent and growth at every level, ensuring that staff, students, and the wider community are empowered to succeed.

Building Strong, Close-Knit Communities

Sophie Holliday, Teaching Assistant at Ellenborough School, shares how this sense of community extends to the everyday relationships within schools:

“I love the staff community we have here. It’s very close-knit, which reflects the local community. The local community has a very strong element of people supporting each other.”

This reflects GST’s holistic vision, where every school is not just an educational institution but a supportive hub for both staff and the local community.

Key Benefits of the GST Network:

  • Collaboration: Schools share best practices, reducing workload and allowing leaders to focus on the core mission of education.
  • Support: Trust-wide connections help individuals flourish, whether they are pupils, staff, or community members.
  • Community: Close-knit school teams mirror the strength of their local communities, fostering deep, supportive relationships.

Through informal support networks, GST creates a positive, collaborative environment where every school and individual is supported to thrive.