Staff from March and Chatteris schools were awarded certificates to mark their achievements over the past year at a special presentation evening held at the Oliver Cromwell Hotel.

During the 2014/2015 academic year, 30 staff from schools sponsored by the Active Learning Trust took part in a training programme entitled Leading Active Learning.

Schools in the Trust’s Cambridgeshire hub each put three of their teaching and non-teaching staff forward for the training, which allowed trainees to build upon and improve good practice to the benefit of all pupils.

As part of the programme, staff undertake a work-based activity in their schools, which aligns with priorities in the schools’ development plans.

Staff from Neale-Wade Academy and Burrowmoor in March and Kingsfield in Chatteris received their certificates of achievement at the awards evening.

Neale-Wade PE teacher Louise Owen said: “During the Leading Active Learning programme I explored barriers to girls’ participation in PE, and how to combat them effectively.

“As a result, this year I have been able to speak with confidence and passion for my subject and research at three conferences in front of large groups of educators. I would not have been able to do so without the help of the programme and the foundation of knowledge that I have built and developed.”

The previous academic year saw the training programme’s inaugural year, and it is set to continue this year with a new cohort of around 40 staff.

Gary Peile, the trust’s chief executive said: “Leading Active Learning allows all school staff to take an active role in school improvement and achievement.”