Human resources
At Tudor Grange Academy Trust, people are at the heart of everything we do. We are a growing family of schools, united in our commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience and securing the best outcomes for our students. With just over 1,000 employees across our schools, we understand that our most valuable asset is our people. That’s why we invest in our staff, creating a supportive, dynamic, and empowering working environment where everyone can thrive.
Our Commitment to Staff Development and Wellbeing
We are passionate about attracting, recruiting, and retaining high-calibre staff who are dedicated to supporting and inspiring our students. At TGAT, we believe that the key to success lies in developing and nurturing the talents of our team. Through a combination of professional development opportunities, a supportive appraisal process, and tailored career progression plans, we ensure that every member of our staff has the tools and support they need to grow and excel in their role.
Continuous Professional Development
We believe that professional development is a cornerstone of success. That’s why we place a strong emphasis on Continuing Professional Development (CPD). We offer a variety of CPD opportunities that are designed to help staff at all stages of their career reach their full potential. Whether it’s through formal training, peer learning, or external courses, we ensure that every staff member has access to the resources they need to stay current in their field and continually improve their practice.
From subject-specific workshops to leadership training, our CPD programmes are designed to challenge and inspire. We aim to create a culture of lifelong learning, where professional development is not just a requirement, but an opportunity to grow and thrive.
Investing in Our People: Talent Management and Career Progression
At TGAT, we understand that investing in our people is key to securing the future of the Trust. Our Talent Management Pipeline ensures that we identify and nurture emerging talent across the organisation. We are committed to providing opportunities for staff to progress, whether that means stepping into leadership roles, expanding their skills in their current position, or taking on new challenges within the Trust.
Through targeted development plans, mentoring, and succession planning, we support the next generation of leaders. Our goal is to provide a clear path for career advancement, ensuring that talented individuals are recognised, developed, and given opportunities to lead within the Trust.
Supporting Staff, Securing Excellence
At TGAT, we take great pride in our collaborative approach. By working closely with expert partners, we ensure that our practices are in line with compliance standards and best practices. Regular meetings with recognised unions ensure we remain an employer of choice, committed to the well-being and development of our workforce.
Our in-house HR expertise provides invaluable support for schools thinking of joining the Trust, including guidance on TUPE, Academy Conversions, and other employment law matters.
Employee Voice Matters
We believe in creating a workplace where our staff feel heard and valued. Through annual surveys and regular feedback channels, we ensure that staff have a voice that helps shape our strategy, policies, and decision-making. This transparent approach allows us to continuously improve and strengthen our Trust.
Staff Wellbeing and Remuneration
At TGAT, we understand that the wellbeing of our staff is essential to the success of both our employees and our students. We are committed to creating a healthy and supportive work environment where staff feel valued, respected, and supported in both their professional and personal lives.
Our Employee Assistance Programme offers confidential support and resources to help staff manage personal and work-related challenges, including mental health, stress, and resilience. We believe that a well-supported staff is key to ensuring the success of our students, and we work proactively to foster a culture of well-being.
In addition to our wellbeing support, we have a Flexible Working Policy in place, which allows staff to balance their professional commitments with personal needs. We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and we support flexible working arrangements where possible to accommodate personal commitments, and family needs. We also offer family-friendly policies, recognising that our staff may need additional support at various life stages. These policies include enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave, as well as support for carers. We aim to create an inclusive environment where staff can thrive both in their roles and in their personal lives, knowing that their wellbeing is a priority.
Alongside our commitment to wellbeing, we offer a competitive salary package in line with national pay scales, ensuring our staff are fairly compensated for their hard work and dedication. Our benefits package includes a range of perks to support our staff, including generous annual leave entitlement, pension contributions, health and wellbeing initiatives, and access to various employee discounts and rewards.
Joining TGAT means joining a supportive and collaborative environment. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to take the next step, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our staff are at the core of everything we do, and we strive to provide the best possible experience for our people as we work together to make a difference in our communities.
If you’re interested in becoming part of our growing family of schools, we’d love to hear from you.
Carmen McMahon
Executive HR Director
As Executive HR Director at TGAT, Carmen McMahon is responsible for driving the Trust’s ongoing success through HR leadership. She reports directly to the TGAT Board and subsidiary committees, providing updates on operational HR matters. Her role involves delivering accurate, up-to-date information and consistent KPI reporting across all the Trust’s schools, enabling stakeholders to make informed and confident decisions.
As a member of the Executive team Carmen plays a key role in TGAT’s school improvement strategy and contributes to the vision for the Trust’s future. In addition to meeting statutory reporting obligations, she leads the HR and Payroll teams and works closely with the schools to ensure the efficient management of all employee-related processes.
Carmen is a CIPD Chartered member with the CIPD Level 7 qualification (the highest standard in HR). She brings fourteen years of experience in the education sector, including two years as an Executive Director for another Multi-Academy Trust prior to joining Tudor Grange Academy Trust. During her career, Carmen has worked with schools and Trusts across multiple districts, gaining invaluable insights into the unique dynamics and challenges of HR within the education sector. This experience positions her well to design tailored HR strategies that align with the Trust’s overarching vision and objectives.
Outside of work, Carmen enjoys spending quality time with her family, travelling, watching her son play rugby, and going on walks with her cockapoo.