Staff Benefits

When you join Airedale Academy, you become part of a community that truly values its people. As a proud member of Castleford Trust, we know that our staff make the biggest difference to pupils’ lives every single day.
To achieve our shared vision of working together to achieve excellence for all, we invest in our people — their wellbeing, development, and future. We want every member of our team to feel valued, supported, and proud to work with us.
That is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to recognise achievement, promote a healthy work-life balance, and help every colleague thrive both professionally and personally.

Our Staff Benefits Include

Competitive Salaries
We offer competitive salaries for both teaching and support staff, reflecting the type and level of each role.

 

National Terms and Conditions
Castleford Trust is committed to offering national terms and conditions in line with the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD), the Burgundy Book for teachers, and the NJC Green Book for support staff.

 

Pension Scheme
All contracted members of staff are automatically enrolled into a career-average pension scheme, either the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme, whichever is appropriate. Contributions are tax and National Insurance free, and Castleford Trust adds a generous employer contribution. Staff can choose to opt out if they wish.

 

Personal Day
We understand that sometimes life’s special moments don’t always fall during school holidays. Whether it’s celebrating a birthday, attending a family event, enjoying a long weekend away, or simply taking a well-deserved day for yourself, every member of staff is entitled to one Personal Day each year. This dedicated day can be taken at a time that works for you, helping to support a healthy balance between work and life.

 

Special Recognition and Celebration
Our culture of praise is second to none. We celebrate the efforts and achievements of our staff throughout the year, from a simple ‘thank you’ or termly chocolate treat to mark a job well done, to our annual staff celebration event, a true highlight of the year.

We also recognise milestones and important moments. Whether it’s a word of thanks from a line manager, a formal CEO Recognition Letter, or congratulations for reaching 5, 10, 15, 20, or even 30 years of service, we celebrate commitment and contribution at every stage. Our strong culture of praise, high staff retention, and shared pride in each other’s success make Airedale Academy a truly special place to work.

 

Generous Holidays
All staff benefit from generous holiday allowances in addition to public holidays, while teaching staff receive the standard school holiday entitlement.

 

Flexible and Family-Friendly Policies
We understand that flexibility is key to supporting a diverse and happy workforce. Flexible working opportunities, job share arrangements, part-time roles, generous family leave packages, and leave for emergencies or compassionate reasons are all available.

 

Health and Wellbeing Support
Through the SAS Health and Wellbeing Services package, staff have access to a range of benefits designed to support overall health and wellbeing. This includes physiotherapy, GP consultations, weight management support, and more. Staff can also access structured counselling of up to six sessions, available face-to-face or over the phone, covering issues such as family matters, financial information, stress, anxiety, and bereavement.

The package also includes 24/7 confidential advice and support, as well as access to telephone GP services and private prescriptions.

 

Cycle to Work Scheme
This scheme enables employees to purchase brand-new bicycles and cycling equipment via salary sacrifice, making tax and National Insurance savings while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

 

Professional Development
We are passionate about supporting the growth and development of every member of our team. As part of Castleford Trust, we offer a wide range of professional learning opportunities, from in-house training to trust-wide CPD, including the Aspiring Senior Leadership Programme, as well as opportunities to gain nationally recognised qualifications. These experiences help colleagues develop their skills, grow in confidence, and reach their full potential, empowering them to make a real difference in the lives of our pupils.

 

Learning and Collaboration Culture
Collaboration and shared learning make us stronger. Staff have opportunities to work closely with colleagues across the academy and the wider Castleford Trust, sharing expertise, exchanging ideas, and learning from one another. Collaborative groups, such as the SEND network, Teaching and Learning leaders, and KS4 Achievement leaders, explore evidence-based research, share best practice, and develop approaches that enhance learning across the Trust. By working together to achieve excellence for all, our culture fosters teamwork, innovation, and continual improvement.

 

Join Us

If you’re interested in working for us, please search our latest vacancies to find a role that suits your skills. If Airedale Academy does not currently have a suitable vacancy, you may find opportunities at another Castleford Trust academy.

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