Our Partnerships
At Step, we are proud sponsors of The MTPT Project, the UK’s charity dedicated to supporting educators throughout their journey into parenthood. The MTPT Project provides practical guidance and entitlements for pregnant and expectant staff, alongside networking, coaching, and professional development opportunities during parental leave. Their work also includes return to work workshops and initiatives designed to help teachers balance their careers with family life, making teaching a more sustainable and family friendly profession.
The MTPT Project parent-educator community recognised in this week's White Paper with a commitment to ongoing support for returning parents, including a (slight) increase in maternity pay.
In particular, the DfE like the idea of 'peer support, coaching and resourcing' for parent-teachers, which sounds a lot like what we are already doing together with Cradle to Classroom!
Do you have a teacher returning from Maternity/Paternity soon?
If you have a teacher who is or will be returning from maternity/paternity leave this term or next academic year, STEP are proud to fund this opportunity for all schools in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin. If you would like to find out more, please sign up for the Cradle to Classroom information event on Tuesday 23rd June (or sign up to receive a recording?)
We are proud to work in partnership with the University of Chester to deliver high‑quality Initial Teacher Training (ITT) for our Associate Teachers. Through this collaboration, trainees benefit from a powerful blend of academic study, delivered by University of Chester, and hands on classroom experience within our local school network.
The University of Chester brings strong academic rigour to the programme, providing the postgraduate academic elements of the PGCE while we deliver immersive, school‑based training. This partnership ensures trainees gain both the theoretical understanding and practical skills needed to thrive in the classroom. As part of the programme, Associate Teachers also have the opportunity to earn 60 Master’s-level credits, supporting their long‑term professional development.
Together, Step and the University of Chester offer a supportive, personalised and highly regarded teacher training route, preparing confident, capable and reflective new teachers for successful careers in education.
Best Practice Network are our Lead Provider for delivering the ECF (Early Career Framework) programme to our ECTs and their Mentors.
UCL are our Lead Provider in delivering the ECTP (Early Career Teacher Programme) to ECTS and Mentors.