The Power of Systems and Alignment: Conference is a Resounding Success

On Tuesday, 26th November 2024, The Education Exchange Conference brought together leaders in education at The Milner in York for an inspiring day of collaboration, learning, and innovation. Proudly sponsored by The Ark, a full-service design agency based in Leeds, the event welcomed CEOs, headteachers, and senior leaders from Trusts and academies across the UK to explore the theme “The Power of Systems and Alignment.”

A Day of Insightful Discussions and Inspiration

The conference was hosted by John Murphy, an esteemed Education Leadership Mentor, Advisor, and former CEO of Oasis Multi Academy Trust. John set the tone for the day by encouraging open dialogue and insight-sharing among delegates.

The day began with an awe-inspiring keynote by Sir Jason Kenny, a seven-time Olympic champion. Jason shared his journey of transforming British cycling through marginal gains—small, incremental changes that lead to extraordinary outcomes. His message resonated deeply with educators, highlighting the power of refining systems to drive meaningful progress in schools.

Sir Michael Wilkins, former CEO of Outwood Grange Academies Trust, delivered a thought-provoking session on how strategic alignment and effective strategies underpin successful teaching, assessment, and inclusion. Sharing actionable insights from his career, Sir Michael encouraged leaders to adopt tried-and-tested systems tailored to their unique contexts.

A highlight of the day was existing members of the Education Exchange sharing success stories, featuring Richard Fletcher (CEO, New Collaborative Learning Trust), Claire White (Executive Headteacher, East Riding maintained nurseries), Kully Uppal (Deputy CEO, Summit Learning Trust), and Nick Hurn OBE (CEO, Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust). The educators shared how their collaborative efforts through Education Exchange have driven improvements across Trusts. They encouraged continued engagement and mutual support within the Education Exchange network to sustain collective growth in the sector.

Harnessing Innovation and Expertise

Tom Banham, CEO of HCAT, introduced a cutting-edge session on the role of AI in education, led by Chris Toyne of Go Accelerate. Delegates witnessed live demonstrations of AI tools designed to enhance teaching, reduce workloads, and improve student outcomes. One highlight included AI systems capable of analysing children’s eye movements while reading, identifying potential support needs.

Scotty Mills, a Royal Marine Officer and Performance Expert, delivered a motivating session on teamwork and resilience. Drawing on his marine training, he shared techniques to foster strong, effective teams that thrive under pressure—insights equally applicable to the education sector.

The day concluded with Vince Green (CEO, Summit Learning Trust) and Christian Wilcocks (CEO, Omega Multi Academy Trust) discussing the future of The Education Exchange. They outlined plans to establish their own regional hubs for localised collaboration, ensuring tailored support for Trusts and academies nationwide.

A Day of Collaboration and Professional Growth

Networking breaks throughout the day allowed delegates to discuss how they could implement key takeaways in their own settings. Many attendees left feeling inspired, armed with new ideas and connections to drive positive change.

John Murphy reflected: “It has been great to listen to leaders—headteachers, deputy CEOs, and CEOs—all advocating the impact of professional generosity and the benefits of being part of The Education Exchange. There has been such a clear theme: everyone collaborates, and everyone contributes—all for free.”

Tom Banham summed up the event perfectly: “A fabulous day all round.”

As the conference concluded, it was clear that The Education Exchange Conference had left a lasting impression, energising leaders to collaborate more effectively and continue making a difference in education.