Learn with FA1

Welcome to LEARN with FA1 —an exceptional hub of learning and innovation dedicated to shaping the future of education. As a prominent institution within the esteemed Forward As One CE Multi Academy Trust, our hub stands at the forefront of educational excellence, committed to empowering educators and transforming the educational landscape.

Get in touch with our Learn team 

  

Who is LEARN with FA1?

LEARN with FA1 is the professional arm of Forward As One CE Trust. 

In partnership with Ambition Institute, we are proud to deliver the full Department for Education's full Golden Thread.

We believe that education holds the power to unlock the full potential of every individual, creating opportunities and fostering personal and professional growth. 

Our hub serves as a catalyst for change, inspiring and equipping educators with the knowledge, skills and expertise necessary to make a lasting impact on the lives of their students. 

Drawing upon the expertise and experience of our dedicated hub, LEARN with FA1 offers a diverse range of programmes and initiatives tailored to meet the evolving needs of Teachers and Leaders across the North West.  

  

The DfE Golden Thread

We are proud to deliver the full Department for Education’s ‘Golden Thread’ of Professional Development, consisting of: 

- Initial Teacher Training: Transform the future and lives of young children in your local community with our expert-led, in-school teacher training course across the North West.
 
- Early Career Framework: Reach your true potential as a teacher through the DfE funded framework, designed for newly qualified teachers to improve their practice, skills and overall teaching ability. 
 
- National Professional Qualifications: For aspirant or existing Leaders who wish to deepen and broaden their leadership, through specialist or leadership programmes.  

 

Our LEARN values

 Our values guide everything we do, shaping our culture, decisions, and the way we work together: 

Leadership

We are proud to deliver quality NPQ programmes that shape the future leaders of tomorrow.

We make sure that we work with teams of expert leaders, who use their knowledge and expertise to facilitate on our programmes and demonstrate effective leadership. 

Empower

We aim to empower every individual in our schools and on our programmes to be the very best they can be and #keepgetting better. 

To do this, we make sure we provide a wealth of opportunities for empowerment, that are tailored to meet the evolving needs of Teachers and Leaders across the North West. 

Aspire

We want educators to play an active part in their own development, to 'aspire' to make the changes they want to see in the education landscape. 

As part of our Challenge Partners group, Aspire Hub, we work with 64 primary and secondary schools, striving towards reducing educational inequality and improving the chances of all children.

Research

All of our programmes are constructed around evidence-informed best practice. 

Our educators and participants can be assured that they benefit from the best research-driven material, carefully detailed to provide a basis for outstanding pedagogy. 

Nurture

Everything we do is driven by a great passion for the future of education. This translates into a dedicated effort to support our educators from day one. 

We are committed to providing support for all of our #OneFamily, everyone on our programmes and those in our partnership networks. 

 

Our LEARN central team

  • Christina Derbyshire
    Director of Operations

    Christina Derbyshire

  • PAUL COWBURN
    Initial Teacher Training & Early Career Framework Lead

    PAUL COWBURN

    Paul joined the Trust in 2019 as Assistant Principal and has since worked in many of our schools in his role as Learning and Teaching Lead. He began working at St. John with St. Michael in 2023 as Head of School and was appointed Acting Headteacher in September 2024. Alongside his senior leadership roles, Paul is Early Career Teacher lead for Forward as One C of E MAT and has been a Visiting Fellow with Ambition Institute since the Early Roll Out. He regularly facilitates conferences and clinics for ECTs and their mentors. Paul is passionate about teaching and learning ensuring both pupils and staff have the highest quality of education and support to enable all to flourish and teach their true potential.

  • SAM RUSH
    NPQ Lead

    SAM RUSH

    Sam started working as NPQ lead in April 2022. She is responsible for overseeing the NPQs that we are deliver as a trust in partnership with Ambition. Sam has previously been a teacher in different aspects initially at St Paul's and then various schools within Forward as One, for 20 years. She is thoroughly enjoying the new challenge and working in education from a different angle.

  • IAN HAYDOCK
    Programme Operations Co-ordinator

    IAN HAYDOCK

    Ian joined Forward As One in 2021, taking up a new role as Programme Operations Coordinator overseeing the delivery of the Early Career Teacher Framework and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) that the Trust deliver in Partnership with Ambition Institute. Ian has extensive Operational and Team Management experience in both Private and Public Sectors. His roles have encompassed the Financial Services, Property, Regulatory, Service, Sales and care industries. Ian has built and led numerous successful teams within competitive customer focussed organisations and is relishing the prospect of a new challenge within Education as part of a forward thinking and innovative Multi Academy Trust.

  • Lucy Jackson
    Marketing & Partnerships Administrator

    Lucy Jackson

 

Our strategic partners

Curriculum-Gallery (ID 1188)

 

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