Strengthening Collaboration & Belonging: Spencer Academies Trust host Inspiring Primary Conferences
Over 600 educators and colleagues across our 19 primary academies came together this month for two enriching Primary Inset events, designed to foster collaboration and a shared sense of belonging across the Spencer Academies Trust. Hosted at Brackensdale Spencer Academy for Derby and Derbyshire schools and Portland Spencer Academy for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire schools, the events were a testament to the power of community in education.
The theme of the day, ‘Belonging’, emphasised the importance of inclusive and supportive environments for both pupils and colleagues in our academies. Through an engaging program of keynote speakers, workshops, and real-life stories, the event reinforced the Trust’s values of Aspiration, Partnership, and Responsibility.
The event welcomed keynote speaker, Richard Gerver, an internationally recognised leader in education and organisational development. Richard, celebrated for his transformational leadership since turning around a failing school in the UK in under two years, shared insights from his best-selling books ‘Creating Tomorrow’s Schools Today’ and ‘Simple Thinking’, inspiring educators to embrace adaptability, resilience, and a growth mindset – encouraging them to remember how much they make a difference to the children in their care.
The event also featured inspiration from Sarah McAneny-Vincent, Director of Inclusion and Aoife Galletly, Director of Quality & Standards. Drawing from Owen Eastwood’s internationally acclaimed book, ‘Belonging’, they explored how the key behaviours underpinning our sense of belonging align with the Trust’s shared values. Their session concluded with Spencer Stories, illustrating how belonging and leadership come to life within our schools, ensuring every member of the Spencer community feels known, valued, and part of #OneSpencer.
Beyond the keynote sessions, attendees had the opportunity to participate in over 40 workshops, led by colleagues within our academies and covering a wide range of topics, including: Leadership, Academic Curriculum, Improving Outcomes, Disadvantaged Pupils, Personal Development and Behaviour, Attendance and Safeguarding.
The event was further enriched by live student performances including a warm welcome from a talented saxophonist (Nash from George Spencer), bagpipe player (Sydney from Long Field), guitarist (Aaron from Farnborough) and a soft rock band (Martha, Maisie, Ava and Charlotte from John Port), setting an uplifting tone for the day. Colleagues were also invited to experience the benefits of a lively Drumba session at lunchtime!
Director of Primary Education, Kate Green, shared her reflections on the day: “The two inspiring days really were a symbol of what we stand for. With children at the centre of all we do – we have mobilised powerful knowledge from a huge breadth of expertise today. This has supported every colleague to understand their worth and to help them be the very best versions of themselves so they can provide excellence to all the children they work with and care for. It was a pleasure to see such enthusiasm, drive and commitment to each other and the children of our trust #onespencer”
Paul West, Chief Executive Officer, also shared: “These impactful connected days for our Primary Teachers, Leaders and Support Professionals reaffirmed the Spencer Academies Trust’s unwavering commitment to building a thriving, impactful learning community. Through shared learning, collaboration, and an enduring commitment to belonging, Spencer Academies Trust continues to shape the future of education.”
Our sincere thanks to our guest speakers and our colleagues for making this day so special with their presence and participation.