The Great Teaching Toolkit: a foundation for growth

The ‘Great Teaching Toolkit’, rooted in a 2020 research synthesis of “best bets” for improving teaching, provides a structured curriculum for teacher learning. These insights form the foundation for courses designed to deepen educators' understanding and skills in areas such as assessment, behaviour, and creating supportive learning environments.

As part of our journey, we were chosen to participate in the 2023–2024 national pilot of the platform and continue to increase engagement in the curriculum to support growth in leader and teacher expertise.

“At Brooke Weston Trust, we recognise the value of staff expertise and the resulting impact that teacher quality has on student achievement and success.  Enabling staff to have the time to engage meaningfully with an evidence-based curriculum for their own learning is at the heart of our commitment to growing both their own personal skillset and the potential for each student.” Charlotte Hawker-Smith, Director of Teaching and Learning (Secondary)

Hosting Evidence Based Education: sharing progress and impact

In December 2024, we hosted members of the Evidence Based Education team at three of our schools - Thomas Clarkson Academy, The Wisbech Academy, and Kettering Science Academy. These schools are leading the way in embedding the Great Teaching Toolkit into their professional development journeys, and staff were eager to share how this collaboration is shaping their leadership and teaching practices.

A common thread emerged from the feedback – the positive impact of following a structured teacher curriculum. Educators praised the curriculum’s ability to balance theoretical insights with practical tools, enabling them to embed new approaches into their daily routines. Collaborative learning also emerged as a key benefit, as teachers and leaders worked together to refine their practices and support each other’s growth.

Here are some examples of how this engagement is driving meaningful change:

• Thomas Clarkson Academy: Leaders of Assessment and Curriculum are delving into what makes assessment effective. By reflecting on the specific knowledge, they aim to assess and evaluate their current processes and hone their ability to gather meaningful data that informs teaching and learning.
• The Wisbech Academy: Leaders of Behaviour and Culture are deepening their understanding of the links between behaviour and learning. By exploring the "behaviour for learning" approach, they are gaining insights into how students’ relationships with themselves, their peers, and the curriculum influence their academic journey.
• Kettering Science Academy: Lead Practitioners are engaging with a course focused on creating supportive classroom environments. This work is laying the foundation for a repository of best practices in relational teaching, aligning with the academy’s emphasis on creating strong, positive relationships in the classroom.

“We believe that excellent teaching is the cornerstone of an exceptional education. By embracing evidence-informed practices and investing in the professional growth of our educators, we are giving every student the opportunity to succeed and flourish.” Dr Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer

Looking Ahead: building capacity for excellence

Moving forward, we aim to grow our capacity by empowering in-school expert teachers and coaches to facilitate this approach. By providing dedicated time and opportunities for professional development, we are ensuring that our teaching staff can continuously improve their daily practice.

To celebrate and share the impact of this work, we will be highlighting our learnings and best practices through our new social media campaign: #ExcellenceAtBWT.

Stay tuned for insights into how our educators are driving excellence every day across our Trust!