Staff Benefits

Our staff are pivotal in making a real contribution to the lives of young people across the East Midlands, Sheffield, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

At L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, we believe that outstanding teachers and staff make outstanding schools. When working in one of our academies you can expect high-quality professional development, progression and the opportunity to share best practice with like-minded colleagues.

Tomorrow’s Leaders

One of the core priorities for L.E.A.D. Academy Trust is the development of outstanding school leaders. We are dedicated to providing an organisation that will:

  • develop inspirational school leaders for the future through high-quality recruitment, professional development and coaching;

  • invest in joint training, peer coaching, shared good practice and professional dialogue in a climate of trust;

  • continually improve, exploring new ways of working, alternative curriculums and innovation;

  • strategically plan to produce the next generation of high-quality school leaders.

Supporting Learning

Internal development is a crucial part of our vision, and every member of teaching staff across the Trust has a clear development pathway, following our ‘Golden Thread’ of teaching progression. Professional development is supported through a close relationship with the L.E.A.D. Teaching School Hub.

In addition to teaching positions, there is also a wide range of opportunities in support roles at our central office, or within our academies. Our commitment to the professional development of support staff matches that for teaching and leadership positions. Through CPD, coaching, regular forums and apprenticeship opportunities, we develop, nurture and support staff in all roles.

Apprenticeships

We see apprenticeships as high-quality pathways to successful careers in education for the current and future needs of the Trust. These opportunities are not just for new recruits, but also for existing employees to develop their skills through apprenticeships with us. As an apprentice with L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, you can expect a wide network of partnership relationships, an attractive pay rate commensurate with the job role, and a celebration of your success.

The Trust currently has employees engaged in a large variety of programmes including:

  • teaching assistance;

  • facilities management;

  • catering;

  • business administration;

  • teacher training;

  • education management;

  • finance/AAT;

  • leadership development.

Additional Benefits

  • We provide excellent quality training and development opportunities for all Trust staff. This includes a full induction programme for any new starters and targeted individual development through the Trust’s annual appraisal scheme.

    Training is delivered locally by our Trust subject experts or through our established stand-alone training facility at the Trust’s Teaching School Hub.

  • All Trust roles (with the exception of apprentices) are subject to a minimum hourly rate, which is currently significantly above the National Living Wage amount. All our support staff roles are subject to a competitive 6-point salary range, allowing for progression within the role.

  • The Trust is committed to the wellbeing of our staff. Partnering with Health Assured, we offer a supportive and completely free service to all our employees and, for many aspects of the service, also members of their families:

    • 24/7 timely access to advice on emotional, financial, legal and other lifestyle matters;

    • Counselling (face-to-face and over the phone);

    • A wide range of useful wellbeing resources via the web portal or app.

  • Our teaching staff can access up to 13 weeks’ annual leave during the school holidays. Our support staff benefit from an enhanced holiday allowance starting at 26 or 31 days, up to a maximum of 36 days. The allowance is dependent on the role and amount of service, increasing after 5 and 10 years’ service. This is in addition to any Bank or Public holidays.

  • All Trust employees can be part of either the either the Teacher’s Pension Scheme or a Local Government Average Salary (LGPS) pension scheme - benefits include generous employer contribution, life cover, lower tax, survivor benefits, and ill health cover.

  • If your work includes regular use of a computer screen, you are eligible for a free eye test every 2 years, up to the value of £25. You can arrange the eye test through any reputable optician and claim back the cost through expenses within the school or Trust.


    We also offer occupational health and physiotherapy services. More information available on application.

  • Discounts for Teachers and Teacher Perks are available to anyone working in education. They offer discounts and cashback for a huge range of products, including travel, shopping, insurance, motoring and utilities.

  • L.E.A.D. Academy Trust actively encourages employees to obtain a seasonal flu vaccination by ensuring this is free of charge, should they not already be eligible.

  • Any expenses for business travel are reimbursed at the maximum HMRC mileage rate.

Employees at L.E.A.D. Academy Trust and our schools are offered an exceptional range of additional benefits.