Staff Wellbeing and Benefits

As part of the PLT family, you will have access to great support and development whatever your career stage.  From trainee to senior leader, we will ensure you are supported and provide opportunities to work with others across the Trust wherever possible, as well as within your own school or college.

We are also committed to working in partnership beyond the Trust, and have flourishing links with other schools and colleges, both locally and further afield, the local Teaching School Hub, the Local Authority, a wide range of local and national Trusts, the regional DfE/RSC officers, the Sixth Form Colleges’ Association, the Confederation of School Trusts, and many others.  We are keen to build on our strong practice through collaboration with others wherever possible.

Staff wellbeing and workload are important priorities and we work hard to ensure all staff are cared for in a variety of ways. Below is a list of support and benefits our staff can access. 

1. Emotional

The PLT ensures that the emotional wellbeing of its staff is supported through INSET training, wellbeing and development days. The Trust has an open door policy for staff to be able to discuss any problems or needs. A friendly and understanding HR team is available to discuss any concerns and work with you to develop an action plan. The PLT offers a Telephone Counselling Service for staff via an independent company (DAS), providing staff and immediate family with confidential counselling services and support. This is available 24/7.

2. Physical

OSFC and Hathershaw College have an on-site multi gym that can be used by any Trust employee, a great way to work on your physical and mental health. Free Flu Vaccinations for all staff are offered yearly, from an independent medical team who provide nurses to vaccinate on site. We offer staff the cost of eye tests and a contribution towards glasses for those who are classified as Display Screen Equipment (DSE) users. Health and Safety training is provided through an online training package for all staff in the Trust, thus ensuring staff are aware of their responsibilities. We provide role specific training e.g Manual handling, COSHH. We work closely with health organisations to promote Health and Wellbeing, eg NHS, BMI checks and Stop Smoking services.

3. Benefits

The PLT offers all employees the following benefits whilst they are working for the Trust:

• Local Government and Teachers’ pension schemes.
• Support staff have a generous holiday entitlement which increases with service up to 30 days per year, pro rata for part time staff (excluding bank holidays).
• On site free car parking facilities (subject to availability).
• Salary sacrifice for Cycle to Work schemes up to £2000 Occupational Sickness benefits for both teaching and support staff as per the academy terms and conditions.
• Supportive return to work interviews.
• Staged return to work schemes where appropriate and necessary.
• Excellent working environment which includes catering facilities and staff kitchens.
• Long service awards after 15 years and 25 years service.
• Subject to calendar constraints, an additional day’s leave may be given as a well-being day, at the discretion of the academy.
• Hospitality at key events.
• Staff groups to improve wellbeing.
• Wellbeing days – a range of activities to promote health and wellbeing.

4. Work/Organisation

Staff views are regularly sought via staff consultation, staff satisfaction surveys, cross academies surveys and focus groups. The Local and regional Joint Committee meetings offer Union representatives the opportunity to meet regularly with Trust leaders. Senior leaders work with middle leaders, unions and the staff groups to consider ways to manage workloads and promote a healthy working environment. The Work Life Balance Policies across the trust offers the opportunity for staff to balance their working lives with their personal needs and responsibilities. The PLT will consider requests for:

• Flexible working/part time working
• Job sharing
• Sabbatical/career break

5. Equality & Diversity

The PLT aims to encourage uniqueness and diversity, allowing for equal opportunities and cultural engagement.

We also recognise religious and spiritual values and beliefs and allow staff to request paid time off work to observe religious festivals. Some of the Academies have quiet rooms available for those that wish to pray or have quiet time during opening hours. There is an open invitation for any member of staff to join the Equality and Diversity consultation groups to consider Equality and Diversity issues and help ensure that each academy celebrates diversity and inclusion.

6. Training and Personal Development

All new members of staff receive a full induction programme. The PLT supports appropriate requests for role specific and personal development training. INSET days focus on the academy priorities and individual development.

Early Career Teachers have a mentor assigned to them for help, guidance and settling in at the academy as well as regular new staff meetings to introduce different aspects of academy life.

We care about our staff and their professional development and wellbeing. As a member of the college community, you will be able to take advantage of the many opportunities for personal and professional development, including:

• Action Research Projects
• NPQ Programmes
• In-house Leadership Programmes
• IRIS Connect, for self reflection
• Role specific training
• Facilitator training, for course delivery
• Comprehensive Early Career Teacher programme to support and develop newly qualified teachers
• Mentor programme for new members of staff, who should require, to help you settle into your new role at The Pinnacle Learning Trust
• National College Training
• School Partnership activities

7. Giving Back

The Pinnacle Learning Trust strives to make a positive difference to the local community and the lives of all the young people we work with.

We also ensure to get involved with the regular charity events, supporting a number of organisations, including the following:

• Dr Kershaw’s Hospice
• Sands
• Comic Relief
• Oldham Foodbank
• Maggie’s Oldham
• A Bed Every Night
• Breast Cancer Now

Annual and one-off events for community/team building, whilst supporting others is regularly encouraged. Annual cross Trust events include a sponsored 10K run in Manchester and various awareness days (e.g. Pink Day for Breast Cancer awareness).

Teachers, support staff and students are able to join and help lead some of our fantastic groups, such as:

• Equality and Diversity
• LGBT
• Interfaith Group