Networking and Collaboration

COLLABORATION ACROSS TRUST SCHOOLS

The Forest of Dean Trust is a collaborative and supportive Trust that enables schools to focus upon and discuss their curriculum, and its provision from nursery to KS5. Schools work collaboratively each half-term on a subject area, looking at the coverage of skills and content, and also the delivery of these subject areas. Subject Leads from all schools work together to discuss and present subjects in their school via learning walks and discussion of the curriculum. This is a non-judgemental process where the key outcome is a takeaway of new knowledge about a key stage different to their own, and also an understanding of what a child's educational journey is like within our Trust so that progress is positive, and continues regardless of changes in key stage, and/or school.

Collaboration not only includes the sharing of knowledge but also of pedagogy. What works in subject X? What teaching methods could be used throughout a child's educational journey with us? A high-quality curriculum alongside the delivery of high-quality pedagogy is pivotal for students within our Trust, and with our growing number of schools, this will only improve due to the greater number of opportunities to network and work together as a Trust.

Lesson studies take place half-termly and both subject leaders and teaching staff engage in professional dialogue, look at books and resources and also discuss learning with students. This collaboration plays a crucial role in our all-through curriculum provision, and regular networking events ensure that staff across the Trust get the opportunity to try new pedagogical approaches and also know what their role is as part of a Forest of Dean Trust student's educational journey.

NETWORKING

Our Trust schools meet post-collaboration in order to present effective pedagogical approaches to a subject, as well as share resources and speak with colleagues teaching at the same key stage or a different one. This open dialogue and willingness to try something new is a real strength amongst our Trust schools. We also welcome other schools to join us (please contact g.meek@fodt.co.uk if you'd like further information).

TRUST CPD

The Forest of Dean Trust also offers Trust CPD on the latest educational topics, such as how AI can be utilised in education. This is voluntary CPD that is aimed about more generic topics, or new areas of education so that our staff build confidence and expertise in areas of education outside of a more subject-specific focus.

During the academic year 2025-2026, the FODT will collaborate on and provide CPD opportunities for staff within our Trust on both Adaptive Teaching and Writing, as well as our continued focus on AI as it evolves in its uses within education.