About Co-op Academy Priesthorpe

Co-op Academy Priesthorpe is situated in Pudsey and is just 15 minutes from both Leeds and Bradford centres. They are an 11-18 Academy with a Sixth Form and an intake of over 1000 students and around 130 staff. Originally a co-operative foundation school and part of the Leeds Co-operative School’s Network, the school joined the Co-op Academies Trust in July 2017.

Values and vision

Co-op Academy Priesthorpe’s ethos is centred upon the core themes of relationships and resilience. These are, in turn, underpinned by co-operative values, which include equality, equity, self-help and self-responsibility. They believe that every student’s abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. The Academy aims to establish values in students which lead to strong relationships underpinned by empathy and humanity, as well as to encourage students to see that mistakes are part of the journey towards excellence.

The development of resilience, the celebration of diversity and a commitment to working collaboratively with the wider community to promote learning, respect and social justice are all part of the school’s mission.

What makes the Academy different?

All staff, teachers and support, are responsible for a coaching group of around 12 students which they meet with for 1.5 hours over a week. Full training is offered, and this adds a very rewarding element to all roles within Priesthorpe.

What their team does really counts. And they offer a wide range of benefits and rewards to recognise the part you play in their success. Whether they benefit your finances, your well-being, or your family, in or outside work. From career progression and working and making a difference within your local community, to a whole range of financial discounts and benefits, working at Co-op Academies Trust isn’t just your standard job.

Staff benefit from:

• Local government pension scheme and recognised continuous service
• Co-operative flexible benefits, including cycle to work and 5% Co-op discount
• Employee well-being committee with a dedicated health and well-being day
• Co-operative credit union
• Health-care cash-back scheme
• Discounted gym membership and leisure activities
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Season ticket and rental deposit loans
• Bi-weekly team newsletter to keep you up to date with staff news

Values

The Academy follows the Co-op’s ‘Ways of Being’ which are:

• Succeed together – Co-operating is what makes them different; they’re better and stronger when they work together.
• Be yourself, always – they bring their best self to the academy, so that they each contribute and respect others for doing the same. Of course, being yourself isn’t about excusing poor behaviours that contradict their other Ways of Being Co-op.
• Do what matters most – What matters most is ensuring that their students achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Show you care – they care about their Trust, their colleagues, their students, their parents, their Co-op and communities, now and for the future.