Inspiring Leadership Conference sessions 2021

We’re pleased to be sponsoring the Inspiring Leadership Hybrid Conference, taking place on 24 – 25 June.

The Inspiring Leadership Conference is one of the only events that focuses on leadership in education. The event offers leaders the chance to hear from a range of diverse voices in leadership and education, with topics that lets us step back and “reflect, refresh, re-focus and realign.”

This year, attendees will have the option to join the conference in-person at the Utilita Arena Birmingham or online via the new virtual event platform, with the online experience allowing school leaders to attend as an individual or with colleagues.

We’ll be exhibiting via the virtual platform and we’re offering two online panel discussions, which we hope you can join:

Session 1

Future proofing education: Planning change for curriculum, wellbeing and success in our schools

This past year has been extremely challenging for pupils, teachers and school leaders. As society continues to adapt to COVID-19, schools are considering how best to plan the curriculum to ensure future success for their pupils, as well as planning high-quality support and structures to help pupil wellbeing.

This panel will include reflections from both primary and secondary school leaders on how they’re preparing for the year ahead, with curriculum, wellbeing and success at the heart of recovery in schools.

Chair: Martin Fleetwood – Achievement Partner at Teach First

Martin is a Teach First Leading Together Achievement Partner with over 29 years of leadership experience. He was the former Executive Principal of Temple Moor High School and Temple Learning Academy and Strategic Leader of the Temple Newsam Learning Partnership, a Co-operative Trust of nine schools and two Children’s Centres. During his years of serving the wider Leeds learning community he was the Chair of the Schools Forum, a member of the Safeguarding Board, Vice Chair of the Yorkshire Inclusive Teaching School Alliance, and also chaired the Leeds Cooperative Schools Network.

Speakers:

Bridget Morris – Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher at Stuart Bathurst
Andy Rannard – Headteacher at De La Salle

Session 2

Culture club: How a positive culture is key for recovery in schools

‘Culture eats strategy for breakfast.’ It’s easy to identify a negative culture – but how easy is it to define a positive one? Given the challenges that schools have faced this year, and while society rebuilds from COVID-19, how can leaders set up change and improvements within an uplifting environment?

This panel will discuss how to build a positive culture during a period of change management and improvement, focusing on leading both primary and secondary settings. It will include examples of best practice and ideas for improvement from other schools.

Chair: Bridget Clay – Director of School Leadership at Teach First

Bridget Clay is a former teacher who works with schools on their leadership and development. She recently co-authored Unleashing Great Teaching, a book which outlines the culture and processes for great learning for teachers and students. She is Director of School Leadership at Teach First and was previously Director of School Programmes at the Teacher Development Trust. She has advised a number of organisations, including the Department for Education and the Greater London Authority, and is a frequent speaker, including at ResearchED and The Telegraph Festival of Education.