It was wonderful to see so many of you in person at our National Conference at The Oval, a day filled with shared learning, collaboration, challenging ideas and opportunities to talk and network. It really brought alive our theme, Together We Thrive.
The importance of inclusion came through strongly. Sonita Alleyne, Master of Jesus College Cambridge, began the day with some personal reflections on how to talk to children about race, while George the Poet closed with his powerful poetry and ideas. As Sonita said: “It's become a wider conversation, with wider vocabulary - allyship, intersectionality - a more honest conversation, a conversation that now expects action.” George was keen to say the whole responsibility does not lay with teachers, but “black children should know their history like the back of their hand, by the age of 13.”
David Laws of the Education Policy Institute showed the scale of the challenge in closing the disadvantage gap. Some young people get world class education, but there is a long-tail of young people who are being left behind. Those in persistent poverty face the biggest challenge and the most worrying gap is in secondary education.
Sobering too was the masterclass by Barry Carpenter, who highlighted the increasing number of children with a mental health need. As he said, anxious children will struggle to focus on learning.
Shaun Brown of The Difference shared Principles of Whole-School Inclusion; and Adrian Walcott of Brands with Value talked about how you could connect those in your team who are disconnected by understanding what gets them out of bed in the morning: their personal values.
The heart of our conference is powerful practice shared by partner schools and this year sessions covered everything from wellbeing and diversity to tackling disadvantage, excellence in science, careers education, and raising aspirations.
While the talented pupils of St Mary’s Catholic Primary, Eltham and Mounts Bay, Cornwall, inspired with their singing.
As our CEO Kate Chhatwal said: 'We know that building social capital - by forging human connections, which start or are sustained at events like today’s - is really about building the trust needed for genuine collaboration and partnership. Together we thrive."
We are delighted to be able to share slides from the knowledge exchange sessions, which include so partners can catch up on any you missed here.
Thank you for your feedback:
Really great day @ChallengePartnr conference @ The Oval. Some thought provoking and sobering discussions. Reflecting on importance of great teaching, relationships, consideration of mental health & well-being of all young people, despite growing levels of social disadvantage. - Carolyn Robson CBE
It is always an absolute pleasure to hear Barry Carpenter CBE OBE speak. Never more so than today when he reminded us to go back to why we wanted to teach and that children’s needs in this moment must take priority! Could not agree more! Thank you @ChallengePartnr. - Mrs Harrysec
A powerful day of learning, thinking and collaborating - Elliot Costas-Walker
Really impressive to hear the commitment and investment that @SwissCottageSch have created as their well-being strategy. Thank you @MattGranados1 @SquidSingh for sharing your intent and implementation process for this strategy - Rachel Hargreaves
Listening to George the Poet with @ChallengePartnr 'Food for the soul' #inspirational #togetherwethrive - Jenny Adams
So many key takeaways, what an amazing day. #togetherwethrive but not without effort- Thank you for providing inspirational speakers and a platform for discussion, reflection and collaboration - Nancy Cook
Senior leaders from the SW London & Surrey Hub enjoyed a great day of professional development today at the @ChallengePartnr National Conference. Lots of opportunities to collaborate, network & share leading practice! Thank you for an inspirational day! - LEO Training
A great day today at the @ChallengePartnr Annual Conference joined by members of the SW London & Surrey Hub! Amazing keynote speakers Inspirational workshops Opportunities to network Thought provoking discussions - Amy Carlile
Still thinking about the wise words of @GeorgeThePoet - as a history teacher first and foremost, the need for a ‘culture of enquiry that allows us to connect yesterday with today’ really resonated with me - Ms_PatelHistory
Excellent conference- lots to think about! - Parkside
I’m very pleased I had the chance to share at such a big event with so many people passionate about education for all. - Will Cannock
Sitting on a train at St. Pancras Station waiting to depart after a brilliant and powerful day at @ChallengePartnr National Conference hearing all about diversity and inclusivity.- Rob Hardcastle