Developing Our People

At Crowcroft Park Primary, we are committed to supporting the professional growth of all our staff. We believe that investing in teachers and support staff is key to providing the best education for our children. We focus on developing teaching skills, embracing new learning approaches, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This ensures every child receives engaging, high-quality learning tailored to their needs.

Following our work on The Science of Learning with Manchester Schools Alliance, we are introducing instructional coaching as our key driver of developing teaching expertise and improving outcomes for all pupils.

We also prioritise leadership development within our school. By giving staff the skills and opportunities to lead, we create a culture of ambition, responsibility, and excellence. Our leaders inspire and support both colleagues and pupils, modelling the positive qualities we aim to nurture in our students.

Parents are vital partners in our children’s success. We value their involvement and regularly offer workshops and meetings to share practical advice and insights into their child’s education. Working together, we can help every child thrive academically and personally.

Developing Our School

Training Future Educators in Partnership with the National Institute of Teaching

We were delighted to welcome trainee teachers from the National Institute of Teaching as part of their Intensive Training and Practice programme on scaffolding. Hosting future educators is an important part of our commitment to supporting the profession and contributing to high-quality teacher development.

Our team enjoyed opening our classrooms and working alongside trainees as they explored how effective scaffolding can shape learning and support pupil success. It was wonderful to see their interest, curiosity and professional reflection as they observed practice and discussed teaching decisions with our staff.

We were especially proud to see Oliver, one of our ECT, share his practice so confidently and thoughtfully. His development is a reflection of the support and investment we place in early teacher training and professional learning. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the National Institute of Teaching and playing our part in developing skilled, confident and reflective future teachers.

Testimony and Appreciations

Crowcroft Park is a valued partner to the National Institute of Teaching in our endeavours to provide deserving pupils with well trained teachers. The headteacher Juliet Francis provides a rich learning ground for our trainee teachers and apprentices who take up placements there, guided by skilled mentors. We are grateful for Juliet's personal commitment and generosity to trainee development.

Through hosting our in school intensive training and practice (ITaP ) days, teachers at Crowcroft Park have modelled -through live practice- research informed teaching to help pupils know and remember more. Our trainees saw, on a recent ITaP day, how Questioning techniques help teachers to check pupil's understanding in an inclusive classroom. Trainees reported that this was one of the highest impact days of training they had experienced.

The Primary programme in the N&W has been enriched by senior leaders from Crowcroft Park who have delivered training at our Shadsworth campus. Our trainees have been developed by the expertise and passion of subject leads from the school -including Juliet herself. Crowcroft Park has become integral to our 3-7 and 5-11 programme in allowing our trainees to hear from serving school leaders who are experts in research informed practice.

Thank you so much for opening your doors to your wonderful school for our Intensive Training and Practice on scaffolding.

A key concept of the ITaP is to explore a granular component of the initial teacher education curriculum and to understand the theory behind it through observation and deconstruction of practice. While our training materials offer exemplification, it is particularly enriching for trainees to see strategies enacted in a live context and to engage with colleagues about the rationale behind their choices.

The practice we saw showcased scaffolding beautifully and supported rich, analytical discussion among trainees. They were able to identify key decisions, articulate what they had seen and recognise the purpose behind those choices. They have taken away meaningful learning that they will now apply in their own settings.

It was also wonderful to see Oliver teach and to recognise the impact of the training and development he is receiving as an ECT. Your commitment to early teacher development was evident throughout the day, both in the lesson observed and in the thoughtful conversations you had with trainees.

Thank you again for welcoming us so warmly. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from you and your staff and to share in such a positive professional experience.

Emily Beach

Head of the ITE Faculty

Congratulations on delivering such a fantastic lesson David (Trainee teacher). It was clear how much thought and energy went into it, and the impact on the most vulnerable children in the school is truly inspiring.

Thank you to Ally (SENDCO) also for the time and support offered—it's evident how much guidance like this makes a difference.

I’m especially grateful for the warm welcome I received in school. I was genuinely impressed by the exemplary behaviour throughout, the kindness of the staff, and the evident preparation that runs through everything. This is a truly special school, and it was a privilege to visit.

D. Foley

National Institute of Teaching