Aspire Academy Trust chooses CCB for apprenticeships

A leading school academy trust in Cornwall has chosen CCB to be its preferred apprenticeship and training provider.

The Aspire Academy Trust guides and supports 28 primary schools across the county and will be looking to The Cornwall College Group’s (TCCG) business arm CCB, to deliver and embed an enriched staff development programme.

This will be achieved using the apprenticeship levy funding for CPD (continuing professional development), for teaching assistants, business administrators, leadership and management, and property maintenance. 

Trust CEO Andrew Fielder, said he was “delighted” to be able to announce the new partnership.

“We conducted a competitive selection process as we know how important getting the right training and apprenticeship provider is in securing the long term future for our Trust,” he continued.

“Aspire’s approach is founded on a sense of moral purpose and commitment to doing what is right for children, by supporting colleagues to achieve excellence, and this partnership with CCB is a way of delivering on this.”

The Aspire Academy Trust and TCCG are working together closely to tailor course content to reflect the approach and ethos of the multi-academy trust to meet needs and expectations. 

TCCG is also exploring other avenues of collaboration with Aspire, according to TCCG CEO and Principal, Dr Elaine McMahon.

“I am sure this is just the beginning of a long and beneficial relationship for everyone involved, including wider communities across Cornwall and beyond,” she explained.

“We have a proven track record of fantastic apprenticeship and training provision and it’s why we are seeing such positive satisfaction survey results with our partners and an upward trend in apprenticeship starts and outcomes.”

TCCG Head of Employer Engagement Gareth Kenward, concurred and said the college would be “utilising its collective experience of delivering award winning apprenticeships”.

“This will ensure Aspire Academy Trust staff have quality bespoke training programmes that empower them to provide all their students with a truly outstanding, world-class education,” he added.

As part of the partnership, a new role has been created, a STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) Coordinator. 

Guided by TCCG Director of HE, Dr Mark Nason, the STEM Coordinator will be working with Aspire to establish a primary STEAM network for the Trust’s 28 schools.

This will also be helping to design a STEM enriched curriculum and outside spaces at the Trust’s brand new Nansledan School opening in September 2019.

“The joint appointment is an exciting and innovative approach to raising STEM aspirations by linking primary aged children and their teachers with academic staff and students working in Further and Higher Education at Cornwall College,” Dr Nason said.

“It’s hoped that this evidence-based approach will lead to sustained improvements in Cornwall in the proportion of young people seeing the value of STEM subjects.”