School Partnerships

At Gorsefield Primary School, we are proud to represent Forward As One in delivering a suite of the Department for Education’s Golden Thread of Professional Development opportunities. Through this work, we support the continuous growth and development of education professionals at every stage of their career- from those beginning their teaching journey to experienced leaders shaping the future of education.

Our professional development offer includes:

National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) – delivered through Ambition and the Church of England

We support educators to access high-quality, evidence-informed leadership development through the range of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs). These programmes provide teachers and leaders with the knowledge, skills and confidence to drive improvement, strengthen leadership capacity and make a positive impact on outcomes for children and young people.

Through our partnership with Ambition and the Church of England, we help colleagues engage in nationally recognised professional learning designed around the needs of today’s schools.

Please note that the Department for Education offers a wider range of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs). The NPQs listed above represent those that we currently facilitate and support through our school.

Leadership NPQs:

1. NPQ for Early Years Leadership – Become an expert in early years leadership, helping to give children up to the age of five the best possible start in life- delivered by Natalie Paice, Head of School and Early Years Specialist.
2. NPQ for Headship – Develop the knowledge that underpins expert school leadership and apply it to become an outstanding headteacher- delivered by Ruth Onyekaba, Head Teacher and Regional Improvement Lead

Specialist NPQs

1. NPQ for Leading Primary Mathematics – Become an expert leader of primary mathematics and learn how to embed high-quality Mastery approaches to maths teaching in your school- delivered by Beverley Ellett, Assistant Head

Early Headship Coaching Offer – delivered through Ambition

We are proud to support aspiring and early headteachers through the Early Headship Coaching Offer. This programme provides tailored coaching and professional support to help new headteachers develop their leadership approach, navigate the challenges of headship and build the confidence needed to lead successful, inclusive schools.

Through expert guidance, reflection and collaboration, participants are supported to strengthen their strategic leadership and continue their professional journey-  delivered by Head Teacher and Regional Improvement Lead

Early Career Framework (ECF) – delivered through Ambition

As part of our commitment to nurturing the next generation of teachers, we support the delivery of the Early Career Framework (ECF). The programme provides early career teachers with a structured two-year induction, combining high-quality training, mentoring and professional development.

Through evidence-based learning and dedicated support from experienced colleagues, early career teachers are given the opportunity to develop their classroom practice, build confidence and establish strong foundations for a successful teaching career-  delivered by Beverley Ellett (Induction Mentor) and Rebecca Ricardson, Assistant Heads and ECT Mentors; Sally Lobley and Edward Moore ECT Mentors.

Initial Teacher Training (ITT)

Gorsefield Primary School is committed to developing future teachers and inspiring the next generation of education professionals. Through Initial Teacher Training (ITT), we provide trainee teachers with opportunities to gain practical classroom experience, learn from skilled practitioners and develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to become effective teachers.

Our approach combines high-quality training with hands-on experience, ensuring trainees are supported to thrive within the profession-  delivered by Liz Dwarumpudi, Learning and Teaching Advisor and Beverley Ellett, Assistant Head. 

Our Partnerships

We are also proud to work in partnership with organisations that share our commitment to equality, inclusion, professional development and educational excellence.

Greater Manchester Learning Partnership Race Equality

We work alongside Greater Manchester Learning Partnership – Race Equality to strengthen our commitment to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion across our school community. This partnership supports us in developing a deeper understanding of race equality and embedding inclusive approaches that ensure every child, family and member of staff feels valued, respected and represented.

Through collaboration, professional learning and access to specialist expertise, we continue to reflect on our practices, challenge barriers and develop culturally responsive approaches that celebrate the diverse backgrounds and experiences within our community.

Our work with Greater Manchester Learning Partnership – Race Equality helps us to create an environment where diversity is recognised as a strength, where all voices are heard and where every pupil is supported to achieve their full potential. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging, respect and equality, ensuring that our curriculum, relationships and wider school experiences reflect and celebrate the rich diversity of the world around us.

Gorsefield Primary School's Race Equality Lead is Ruth Onyekaba, Head Teacher and Regional Improvement Lead.

As part of this work, Gorsefield have partnered with The Guardian: The Scott Trust's Legacies of Enslavement Programme which is a 10-year initiative launched in 2023 but the Scott Trut, owner of the Guardian and aims to atone for the newspaper's history and connections to transatlantic enslavement.  As part of this strategy, Gorsefield has been asked to trial educational resources and provide feedback for The Guardian Foundation, training for teachers and educationalists.

Legacies of Enslavement Programme

DfE RISE

Forward As One is a supporting organisation for DfE RISE, we are proud to contribute to a national programme focused on strengthening school improvement, collaboration and leadership capacity. Through this partnership, we work alongside schools to share expertise, provide support and contribute to the collective ambition of improving outcomes for children and young people. The RISE Coordinator for Forward As One is Ruth Onyekaba- Head Teacher and Regional Improvement Lead. 

Our involvement enables us to collaborate with colleagues across the education sector, sharing effective practice, supporting professional development and helping schools to identify and address priorities for improvement. By working together, we believe in the power of partnership to create sustainable change and ensure that every school community has access to the knowledge, resources and support needed to thrive.

Through DfE RISE, we continue to champion a culture of collaboration, openness and shared learning, contributing our experience while also learning from the expertise of others. This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting high-quality education, developing strong leadership and making a positive difference for pupils beyond our own school community.

Challenge Partners

As part of Challenge Partners, through our involvement in the Aspire Hub, we engage in a collaborative approach to school improvement and professional learning. This partnership provides valuable opportunities to work alongside a network of schools, sharing expertise, celebrating strengths and identifying areas for further development.

Through peer review, professional dialogue and the exchange of effective practice, we are able to reflect critically on our provision and gain insights from colleagues across the education community. The Aspire Hub supports schools in developing a culture of continuous improvement, where collaboration, challenge and shared learning contribute to improving outcomes for all children.

Our involvement enables us to contribute to and benefit from a wider professional network, ensuring that we remain committed to evidence-informed practice, high expectations and delivering the highest quality education for our pupils.

Gorsefield Primary School has 5 Challenge Partners School Reviewers:

Ruth Onyekaba- Head Teacher and Regional Improvement Lead

Natalie Paice- Head of School

Rebecca Richardson- Assistant Head

Umme Hanif-Assistant Head

Beverley Ellett- Assistant Head

The Bell Foundation

Our partnership with The Bell Foundation supports our commitment to inclusive education, particularly in ensuring that children who use English as an additional language receive the support they need to thrive. Through evidence-informed approaches and specialist guidance, we continue to develop strategies that enable all pupils to achieve their full potential.

Through these partnerships and professional development opportunities, we are committed to supporting high-quality teaching, leadership development, inclusion and educational excellence across our school community. We believe that investing in our people is key to providing the best possible opportunities and outcomes for every child.

Gorsefield Primary School's lead for The Bell Foundation Partnership is Liz Dwarumpudi