Support to help you focus on what matters most

ODST is a values-led organisation, and our people are passionate about providing the best educational experience possible. Our schools are places where children develop and thrive intellectually, socially, culturally and spiritually.

As a new teacher, ODST offers you the supportive environment you need, to enable you to provide children with the high-quality education they deserve. Each school has its own unique identity, but all share a commitment to excellence for the children in their care.

Early Career Teachers Network

Our Trust network for first and second year Early Career Teachers is run by an experienced Teacher Mentor from an ODST school. You'll benefit from:

• Exploring some of the issues and topics not covered in the statutory ECT programme
• Meeting ECTs from other ODST schools
• Sharing experiences, challenges and successes in an informal, supportive group

Autumn
1st Year ECTs - Getting it right from the start: behaviour management, routines and creating positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues.
2nd Year ECTs - Developing interests: Sharing ideas for long inquiry projects, teaching as a vocation, making the most of professional development opportunities. 

Spring
1st Year ECTs - Planning: Teach, Model, Assess, Repeat… Creating rigorous lesson plans that get children where they need to be. 
2nd Year ECTs - Looking forward: Beyond being an ECT - subject leadership, professional development, setting long-term personal goals. 

Summer
1st and 2nd Year ECTs
Inquiry projects and reflection of the year: 2nd Year ECTs sharing their project outcomes, experiences of inquiry projects and their 2nd year, with 1st Year ECTs; all ECTs having an opportunity to reflect on their achievements of the past year and to consider what their next steps are. 

Ongoing professional development

ODST believes our adults as well as children should flourish, and offers a listening culture that values staff wellbeing and feedback. All ODST teachers also benefit from a wide range of professional development opportunities, for example:

• Subject Networks
• Early Years Network
• Moderation Meetings
• SEND training
• Maths and English subject knowledge CPD
• National qualifications such as NPQs

In 2024 we also introduced a new approach to development and performance review. Different to a traditional appraisal model, our Growing Great People programme is focussed on ongoing support to develop your skills.

More about working for ODST

Vacancies and applications

Browse vacancies in our 43 schools across Oxfordshire and Berkshire, covering a wide range of locations and contexts, via My New Term:

View our current vacancies