National Qualification for BMAT Teacher

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A school director has secured another national leadership qualification.

Cristin Casey, director of performing arts for the Burnt Mill Academy Trust (BMAT), has completed the two-year Ambition School Leadership programme.

The charity was formed from the Future Leaders Trust and Teaching Leaders to transform the lives of children in disadvantaged areas by building a network of exceptional school leaders.

The programme entails extensive training on every element of leadership and management, as well as the completion of a research project.

Mrs Casey, who has graduated to become a fellow, completed the programme during evening, weekend and residential workshops and presentations, as well as monthly CPD.

She said: “The charity is looking to close the gap and raise attainment through performing arts. At Burnt Mill Academy, we have exceeded the national averages in all areas. The school has had consistent and improved results which show the gaps have been closing.

“This is about developing leadership capacity, so I can be a part of the next generation of senior leaders. I have developed leadership skills which I am sharing with colleagues and students.”

Mrs Casey completed her project on how the Trust has improved attainment through bespoke programmes of interventions.

She said: “This has given me the tools to be successful in my role, taught me how to bring people on board, to have tough conversations, to deal with change and helped me to coach and mentor – it covered everything you could imagine to do with building leadership capacity.

“The timing has been perfect with my fairly new role as director across the Trust’s group of schools. It was the best possible CPD.”

BMAT is responsible for schools in Harlow, Epping and Stansted in Essex and Newham in London.