ASE is delighted to announce that the Co-op Academies Trust, based in the North West of England has joined the ASE, marking the beginning of a new, innovative and collaborative approach to working with Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs).

Co-op Academies have taken out institutional membership for their 13 secondary schools and colleges, enabling up to 130 science educators across their Trust to access the range of ASE's member benefits including:

• Member discounts of up to 50% on all paid ASE events, including the annual conference
• Digital access to journals and articles in School Science Review and the archive of Education in Science
• Technician-facing resources such as Topics in Safety and the Prep Room Organiser
• Discounts of up to 50% off ASE & Millgate Publications
• Opportunities for staff to be involved in ASE committees and events

In addition the Trust will receive:

• Complimentary access to the Science Teacher Education (STE) Hub for the Head of Department / Science lead - with articles, journals  and podcasts designed to support teacher educators.
• Preferential rate on group bookings for training and other events,
• Opportunities to host local Teachmeet or Techmeets to network with other members of the Trust and local ASE members, write for our journals and work collaboratively on tailored CPD that meets their needs.

Sam Mortimer, Director of Science at Co-op Academics Trust said,“This partnership is testament to our belief that all our science teachers, trainees, leaders and technicians have an entitlement to high quality professional development. At the same time, we're excited about the opportunities to work collaboratively with other schools and professionals through the ASE, as we work towards our science departments being beacons of success in our regions."

Lynn Ladbrook, CEO of the ASE said “We’re delighted to be working with Sam and the Co-op Academies Trust in a tailored way that benefits not only individual teachers and technicians but also the Trust as a whole.  We know that each academy Trust is unique, with different needs, priorities and challenges and this new way of working with MATs will help to ensure we add real value where it’s needed most."

If you work at a MAT and are interested in finding out more about how the ASE could help support excellence in science education for your primary or secondary science teachers and technicians, please get in touch via info@ase.org.uk

If you're interested in learning more about Science in the Co-op Academies Trust, either email sam.mortimer@coopacademies.co.uk, or join the Co-op Sciences Talent Pool to hear about training, events and opportunities: https://bit.ly/coopscitalent