At AET, our mission is to provide an excellent education for every child, in every classroom, every day. It’s backed up with the ambitious goals which we call AET490, that by 2028:
90% of pupils to pass the Phonics check
90% of pupils meet the expected standard at KS2
90% of students achieve grade 4+ in KS4 English and maths, and
90% of children and young people are secure readers for their age.
These numbers are far more than a set of organisational targets - they embody our aspiration for every single student, reaffirming our belief in the potential of each individual.
But given the scale of that ambition across 57 schools, we recognise that to achieve this we need new ways of thinking, behaving and structuring our work. The first step was launching Project H, defining the collective mindsets we want to embody every day.
How we think, view and respond to the world around us fundamentally influences our behaviours and actions. Our individual and collective mindset shapes our perception of potential - potential in both the children and young people in our care as well as the people we work side by side with every day.
So while Project H has a digital presence, it is more than just a website. It is how we are reinforcing a culture across our network that is grounded in honesty and humility.
We challenge ourselves to think differently, confront our biases and welcome a range of viewpoints, setting the conditions for a culture of improvement.
Although each school in our network may look and feel different, Project H and AET490 are two guardrails shaping the activities in every AET school.
The last is "Distinctively AET," the six maxims defining what we value as a network of schools. These maxims articulate our aspirations for our children, staff, and community and remind us continually of our purpose.
Our maxim of the year this year, “Culture - Fun and Fundamentals", prioritises what’s important- ensuring schools are not only pushing for high academic standards but are places of joy, play and discovery.
This maxim inspired the launch of the "Modelling Mindsets Awards” this year, an internal campaign to recognise and celebrate those who live out these mindsets every day.
In just one half-term, we received over 400 nominations, as teachers and support staff from across the trust recognise their colleagues and celebrate their impact on young people.
Every nomination highlights a story of dedication, support, and impact. Whether it’s teachers providing additional help for some children to read or being critical lifelines of support for families in need, they are stories which shine a light on the influence our hard working staff have on their communities.
They recognise the positive, joyful things happening every day of school life which deserve a bigger spotlight. So, over the coming weeks and months, we will share these stories through our website and social media platforms, spreading a message of hope and the rewarding nature of a career in education.
The challenges within our sector are ever present but dwelling on them alone undermines the work that is done day in day out. By celebrating the remarkable daily impact of our teachers, we are trying to pivot away from the crisis plotline that all too often dominates debate to celebrate those who consistently go above and beyond for their students.
We are sharing those messages where positive thinking has driven decisive action, where hurdles are met with creative solutions so the success of the people in our schools can be seen, shared and built upon.
In addition to recognition, those teachers and support staff from AET will gain access to development opportunities, allowing them to share their expertise and experiences nationwide.
By focusing on the wonderful things happening in our schools and the brilliant people working in them, we want to spotlight those leading the charge. We can play a part in creating a more optimistic narrative that it is possible to deliver an excellent education, in every classroom, every day- and indeed have fun while doing it.
For more information on the Modelling Mindsets campaign at AET, click here.