Celebrating the facilitators who make professional learning possible across Essex
.jpg)
At Saffron Teaching School Hub, we're often reminded of just how much can be achieved through collaboration. As a relatively small hub serving a large and diverse area, we simply couldn't support the number of teachers and leaders that we do without our community of facilitators. Drawn from schools and organisations across Essex, they bring expertise, challenge and encouragement to our Early Career Training and NPQ programmes, helping us turn ambition into impact.
Our facilitators include serving headteachers, senior leaders, specialist consultants and experienced practitioners, each bringing their own perspective and expertise. Together, they help ensure that professional learning remains rooted in both evidence and the realities of school life. In doing so, they carry a significant responsibility. As facilitators, they represent not only Saffron Teaching School Hub, but also our Lead Partners, Teach First and the National Institute of Teaching. For many participants on our programmes, facilitators are the face of these organisations and play a vital role in shaping their experience of professional learning.
We spoke to four members of our facilitator community about what it means to facilitate our programmes:
Despite their different backgrounds and experiences, their reflections revealed three common themes: giving back to the profession, learning alongside others and building a connected community of educators across Essex.
"For me, it's about giving back to a community I value. The opportunity to network is essential for teachers to develop and continue to be challenged and it's an honour to work with such a brilliant team to do this."
Rebecca Tarplett
Giving back to the profession
For many facilitators, the role is a chance to support others in the same way they were once supported themselves.
"For me, it's about giving back to a community I value," says Rebecca Tarplett. "The opportunity to network is essential for teachers to develop and continue to be challenged and it's an honour to work with such a brilliant team to do this."
That commitment to supporting others resonates with Jo Cooper, who reflects: "I had an amazing mentor 30 years ago and I hope that I am carrying on her legacy as part of this role."
Learning together
While facilitators support the development of others, they are equally clear about what they gain themselves.
Rebecca describes working with "highly skilled, enthusiastic and driven colleagues across all ages and phases" as both enjoyable and inspiring.
For Katie Gale, the opportunity to collaborate with others is a significant part of the appeal. "My facilitation days are real highlights of my diary," she says. "The days are always rewarding." She also describes being part of the facilitator community as "inspiring and motivating", highlighting the culture of learning that sits at the heart of Saffron's work.
Similarly, Duncan Roberts sees facilitation as an opportunity to create "the conditions for meaningful professional growth", not only for participants but for facilitators themselves.
Building connections across Essex
Perhaps the strongest theme running through all four reflections is the power of connection.
Duncan highlights how bringing colleagues together helps break down isolation across the profession. "Colleagues often realise that they are facing similar challenges and there is real value in being able to explore these together."
Katie echoes this, valuing opportunities for colleagues from different schools and contexts to share ideas and learn from one another. Those professional networks often continue long after programmes have ended.
Jo has seen the impact of those connections first hand. Reflecting on one teacher she supported through a challenging period early in their career, she said: "It is great to hear she successfully moved schools and is now flourishing."
It's clear that facilitation is about far more than delivering programmes – it is also about creating opportunities for professional growth, building lasting connections and ensuring that expertise is shared across our region.
As Duncan explains, being part of Saffron's facilitator community means being part of "a supportive professional community that values collaboration, challenges my thinking and gives me the opportunity to learn from others whilst making a positive difference to colleagues across Essex."
Small Hub – Big Ambitions – Shared Expertise
Duncan's sentiment captures what makes our facilitator community so special. As a small hub with big ambitions, we rely on the generosity, professionalism and expertise of colleagues who choose to share their knowledge beyond their own schools and organisations. Their contribution helps ensure that the very best of the profession is shared across Essex, supporting teachers and leaders at every stage of their journey.