Welcome to GMET

We're delighted that you're joining us here at Greater Manchester Education Trust (GMET). Please take a moment to review the preboarding information here on this page. We look forward to meeting you on your first day!

Welcome From the CEO

I’m delighted to welcome you to Greater Manchester Education Trust and to thank you for choosing to be part of our community.

At GMET, everything we do is driven by a simple but powerful belief: every child and young person, regardless of their background, deserves an excellent education and the chance to thrive. We are a values-led Trust, rooted in our communities, proud of our diversity, and ambitious for the futures of the pupils and families we serve across Greater Manchester.

What makes GMET special is our people. We believe that great schools are built by empowered, supported and motivated staff. That means working collaboratively, trusting professional expertise, and creating an environment where everyone feels respected, included and able to do their best work. We are one Trust, but we value the unique identity, strengths and voices of each school and team within it.

See you soon!

Welcome from the CEO
Together, we create lives of opportunity. Greater Manchester Education Trust

What to Expect

What you can expect as you start your journey with us!

Day One

On your first day you can expect to:

  • Have a tour of your school
  • Meet your line manager
  • Meet your school's Headteacher
  • Receive all your access passes and login details
  • Complete mandatory safeguarding training
  • Return a signed copy of your contract of employment

Week One

Within your first week you will:

  • Complete additional mandatory training
  • Understand your job role, responsibilities and your impact
  • Familiarise yourself with essential policies including: Whistleblowing, Safeguarding, Code of Conduct
  • Be familiar with the GMET workload charter
  • Know what support looks like, and how we care for your wellbeing
  • Understand health and safety basics

Month One

Within your first month you will:

  • Meet with a GMET leader and be introduced to the Trust's vision, values and culture
  • Understand how success is measured and how Professional Learning and Improvement (PLI) works
  • Know how we communicate and collaborate
  • Understand who's who and how they can support your journey with us
  • Have completed all mandatory compliance training, signed the code of conduct and ethical behaviour charter, and received your employee handbook

Developing People

At Greater Manchester Education Trust, we offer a wide range of support and training to help you develop.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The National College logo

Your onboarding process will continue on The National College, where you'll be able to complete training modules such as Online Safety, Fire Safety and Prevent Duty. Over the coming weeks and months, you'll complete training courses similar to the schedule listed below:

Example Learning Schedule

1 Annual Certificate in Safeguarding
2 Certificate in the Prevent Duty
3 Certificate in Online Safety
4 NCSC Cyber Security Training
5 Certificate in Fire Safety

Training is typically completed via The National College, which you'll have access to once your school/Trust account has been activated. Simply login to access courses and training that has been assigned to you.

Our annual Trust Conference gives staff a wonderful opportunity to come together, share best practice, and develop our skill sets collectively.

Professional Learning and Improvement (PLI)

At the heart of our vision to provide excellent, inclusive education to young people in Greater Manchester is our commitment to developing our colleagues, through high-quality learning opportunities and support.

Our Growing Great People charter - underpinned by our values – sets out our promise to our workforce. We will inspire, support and develop colleagues to be the best they can, by focusing on lifelong learning and career pathways, enabling them to grow and develop a career in our Trust.

From Performance Management to Professional Learning and Improvement We know that the quality of professional practice is not driven by performance management or appraisal processes and pay decisions, or by the provision of documentation to evidence successful completion of these processes. It is driven by eAective professional improvement activity, leading to improvements in professional learning and practice and better outcomes for our pupils.

We also know – from evidence as well as from staA feedback – that performance management does have negative impacts. It increases workload, can drive a lack of equity and it can cause professional anxiety.

In November 2024, we decoupled our performance review and appraisal processes from pay awards and piloted a new PLI process. Following review and feedback, from September 2025, all colleagues will engage in the PLI cycle. Alongside the expectations of their core role, and the expectation that they meet the requirements of national standards and their job description, colleagues will hold a single, evidence-informed, developmental goal: to become better at what they do, so as to support improved outcomes for pupils.

All staff will progress automatically through salary thresholds, excepting where they are:

  • Subject to a support and improvement plan
  • Subject to processes under HR policy relating to capability
  • Not fulfilling national standards/the professional standards relating to their role, or...
  • Not fulfilling the requirements of their job description

We will inspire, support and develop colleagues to be the best they can, by focusing on lifelong learning and career pathways, enabling them to grow and develop a career in our Trust.

Pay, Wellbeing and Benefits

Good-to-know information about your pay and the support mechanisms that are available to staff at GMET.

Pay

Employees are paid on the 15th of each month. You're paid for the entire month, so usually 2 weeks in arrears and 2 weeks in advance. Payslips are sent to employees' email addresses.

Pension Schemes

Depending on your job role, you will be entered in to either the Teachers' pension scheme or Local Government pension scheme. You can choose to opt out of the pension schemes if you wish. If you would like to opt out, you'd need to contact your HR Manager. To find out more about each scheme please visit:

Employee Benefits

As well as many other benefits, we offer free access to an external Employee Assistance Programme (Health Assured) to support your wellbeing:

Blue Light Card (discount service)

Cycle 2 Work Scheme (from Halfords)

DSE Eye Tests

Employee Assistance Programme

Flu Jabs

Health Shield (health care cash plan)

Occupational Health

Pension Scheme (teaching and support staff)

...and much more.

Roles and Expectations

What you can expect from your role!

Leadership

School leaders at GMET play a critical role in shaping culture, improving outcomes and ensuring every child and young person thrives. Leaders are role models who set direction, uphold values and create the conditions for excellent teaching and learning.

What We Expect

As a school leader at GMET, you will:

  • Provide clear, values-led leadership and strategic direction
  • Maintain a relentless focus on high-quality teaching, learning and inclusion
  • Create safe, calm and inclusive school environments
  • Fulfil safeguarding responsibilities and act decisively on concerns
  • Develop, support and hold staff to account with fairness and integrity
  • Work collaboratively across the Trust, sharing practice and expertise
  • Use evidence and data intelligently to drive improvement
  • Act with professionalism, transparency and accountability

The Impact You Will Have

Through your leadership, you will:

  • Improve outcomes and life chances for pupils
  • Build strong, inclusive and high-performing teams
  • Establish positive, purposeful school cultures
  • Secure consistent standards and improvement across GMET

Our Commitment to You

GMET will support you through strong governance, professional challenge, leadership development and collaboration across the Trust.

Teaching

Teachers at GMET play a vital role in improving life chances for children and young people. Every teacher is a professional educator and role model, committed to inclusive, high-quality teaching and putting pupils first.

What We Expect

As a teacher at GMET, you will:

  • Deliver high-quality, inclusive teaching that supports strong pupil progress
  • Create safe, positive and well-managed learning environments
  • Uphold safeguarding responsibilities and promote pupil wellbeing
  • Maintain high expectations for behaviour, effort and achievement
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues and families
  • Act with professionalism, integrity and respect
  • Engage in ongoing professional learning and development

The Impact You Will Have

Through your work, you will:

  • Enable pupils to make strong progress and succeed
  • Build calm, inclusive and purposeful classrooms
  • Contribute to a positive school culture
  • Support consistent standards and shared practice across the Trust

Our Commitment to You

In return, GMET is committed to supporting your development, wellbeing and career progression through clear expectations, high-quality professional learning and a strong culture of collaboration.

Classroom Support

Classroom support staff at GMET play a vital role in supporting learning, inclusion and pupil wellbeing. They work closely with teachers to help every child feel supported, valued and able to succeed.

What We Expect

As a member of classroom support staff at GMET, you will:

  • Support high-quality teaching and learning in the classroom
  • Work with pupils individually and in groups to support progress
  • Help create safe, calm and inclusive learning environments
  • Promote positive behaviour and pupil wellbeing
  • Follow safeguarding procedures and raise concerns promptly
  • Work collaboratively with teachers and other professionals
  • Act with professionalism, respect and care at all times

The Impact You Will Have

Through your work, you will:

  • Help pupils engage, learn and make progress
  • Reduce barriers to learning and support inclusion
  • Build positive relationships with pupils
  • Contribute to a supportive and purposeful school culture

Our Commitment to You

GMET is committed to supporting you through clear expectations, appropriate training, professional development opportunities and a culture that values your contribution.

School Support

School support staff at GMET play an essential role in creating safe, welcoming and well-run schools. Through your work, you help ensure that pupils are cared for, staff are supported and schools operate smoothly every day.

What We Expect

As a member of school support staff at GMET, you will:

  • Provide reliable, high-quality support within your role
  • Help create safe, clean and welcoming school environments
  • Contribute to the wellbeing, safety and safeguarding of pupils
  • Treat pupils, families and colleagues with respect and professionalism
  • Work collaboratively as part of the wider school team
  • Follow Trust policies, procedures and health & safety requirements
  • Take pride in your role and the impact it has on the school community

The Impact You Will Have

Through your contribution, you will:

  • Support the smooth day-to-day running of the school
  • Help pupils feel safe, cared for and ready to learn
  • Enable teachers and leaders to focus on teaching and learning
  • Contribute to a positive, inclusive and respectful school culture

Our Commitment to You

GMET is committed to valuing your contribution and supporting you through clear expectations, appropriate training, development opportunities and a culture of respect and inclusion.

Policies

More information about school/Trust policies and procedures.

At Greater Manchester Education Trust, our policies are not about bureaucracy or catching people out. They exist to support you, protect our pupils, and help us all work together in a fair, safe and consistent way.

Policies set clear expectations about how we work, how decisions are made, and how we treat one another. They help ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and that we meet our legal and professional responsibilities.

Most importantly, our policies reflect our values. They are there to create safe schools, supportive workplaces, and an environment where colleagues can do their best work and pupils can thrive.

You’re not expected to know everything on day one. Policies are there as guidance when you need them, and support is always available from your line manager or the People Team.

A number of our policies are publicly available here on this website. More 'internal' policies and procedures will be avaialable to you via your school's Intranet once you start with us. Any policies you would benefit from familiarising yourself with straight away will be sent to you via your HR Manager.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions and an acronym glossary of commonly used terms in schools.

Can I access Wi-Fi?

Yes, all of our schools have fast and free Wi-Fi you can connect to in school. To access it you select 'Guest-Wi-Fi' and use the login details provided to you when you join us.

Can I park at school?

Yes, all of our schools have ample complementary car parking for staff. When working at or visiting Parrs Wood, you can also make complementary use of the entertainment car park (please do use the bays closest to school).

What's the dress code?

We encourage our staff to wear professional business wear, this sets a great example for our students, however, please do be comfortable, flat shoes are encouraged and of course warm coats for lunch/break times.

Who can I contact if I have any problems?

You are of course welcome to contact your Line Manager in the first instance; our managers welcome open and honest relationships with colleagues. If for any reason you don’t wish to speak to your manager, you can contact our HR Team. Each of our schools have their own onsite HR Manager who can support you during your GMET journey.

Acronyms Glossary

AHTAssistant Headteacher
AOAttendance Officer
APAlternative Provision
BAMEBlack, Asian and Minority Ethnic
BEPBehaviour and Engagement Plan
CAMHSChild and Adolescent Mental Health Services
CPDContinuing Professional Development
CQCCare Quality Commission
DfEDepartment for Education
DSLDesignated Safeguarding Lead
ECTEarly Career Teacher
EHCPEducation, Health and Care Plan
EWOEducation Welfare Officer
FSMFree School Meals
GCSEGeneral Certificate of Secondary Education
GDPRGeneral Data Protection Regulation
HODHead of Department
HRHuman Resources
IEPIndividual Education Plan
INSETIn-Service Education and Training
LALocal Authority
LACLooked After Child
MATMulti-Academy Trust
MLTMiddle Leadership Team
OfstedOffice for Standards in Education
PPAPlanning, Preparation and Assessment
PSHEPersonal, Social, Health and Economic Education
RSERelationships and Sex Education
SENDSpecial Educational Needs and Disabilities
SENCOSpecial Educational Needs Coordinator
SLTSenior Leadership Team
SMPStatutory Maternity Pay
TATeaching Assistant
TLRTeaching and Learning Responsibility
WBWellbeing
Y11/Y13Year 11/Year 13

Quality Marks, Awards and Affiliations

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