Trust Leaders gather for annual Leadership Strategy Day

The conference has happened at the start of every school year for the past four years and features lectures from industry experts. This year’s programme centred around governance, including a panel discussion about the roles and challenges of governance within education. John Edwards, the Director General of the Department for Education’s Regions Group, gave an engaging talk about the future of the education system, and the Confederation of School Trust’s CEO Leora Cruddas discussed the next generation of governance as a community anchor.

Further expertise was provided by leaders within the Trust. Executive Principal Graeme Smith provided an update on the past year’s work in equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), the topic of last year’s event. In the intervening months, Mr Smith has worked to develop an EDI Working Group to steer the Trust in its ongoing endeavour to provide an inclusive, supportive environment for all colleagues and students.

Of course, no Spencer Leadership Strategy Day would be complete without a grand entrance from Chris Haggett, principal at Long Field Spencer Academy (which Ofsted describes as “positive and quirky”). Last year, Mr Haggett arrived with a plastic pigeon to celebrate his school’s newest venture; this year, he outdid himself by presenting CEO Paul West with a special teapot featuring a crocheted cosy of his likeness. The teapot is a staple at Long Field, symbolising the school’s values of “together, enjoy, achieve (TEA)”, which are regularly presented to staff to recognise their unique contributions to the school community (er, communi-tea?).

The day was a productive and positive experience that provided opportunities for growth and insight. Leaders across the Trust look forward to implementing what they have learned throughout the upcoming school year to continue our shared journey in the spirit of excellence.