Last week, colleagues from Manor Hall Academy Trust were delighted to attend the Whole Education Summer Conference at the University of Warwick, an event that continues to be one of the highlights of our professional calendar.
Bringing together educators, leaders and practitioners from across the country, the conference is a powerful reminder of the collective commitment that exists within the education sector to support and develop the whole child. It is always inspiring to spend time with so many people who share a passion for creating inclusive, meaningful and transformative educational experiences for young people.
The conference provided an excellent opportunity to reconnect with longstanding colleagues and friends, while also building new relationships and learning from professionals working in a wide range of educational settings. As always, the quality of the speakers and sessions was exceptional.
Among the many inspiring contributions, several speakers particularly resonated with us. Dr Matt Silver, Frances Akinde and Jonny Uttley each shared thought-provoking insights that challenged, inspired and reinforced many of the values we hold as a Trust.
Sharing Our Own Journey
This year’s conference was particularly special for Manor Hall Academy Trust, as we had the opportunity to contribute to the programme ourselves.
We were proud to lead a session focused on Inclusion by Design, sharing how our Trust vision of “Everyone Belongs, Learns and Grows” is brought to life across our schools and classrooms. The session explored our commitment to creating environments where every child feels valued, supported and able to thrive, regardless of their starting point or individual needs.
A particular highlight was seeing colleagues Helen Summers, Sarah Latham and Alex Povey present alongside us. Developing opportunities for our talented staff to share their expertise beyond the Trust has been a personal ambition for some time, and it was wonderful to see them showcasing their knowledge, passion and commitment on a national platform.
Their contribution reflected the strength of practice that exists across our schools and demonstrated the impact that can be achieved when talented professionals are given opportunities to lead, influence and inspire others.
Learning Through Collaboration
In addition to presenting, there was also the privilege of supporting Professor Toby Greany with an Action Learning workshop.
For anyone unfamiliar with the Action Learning programme offered by Whole Education, it is a valuable opportunity for educational leaders to collaborate, reflect and learn from one another through structured professional dialogue. It is an approach that encourages thoughtful leadership development and practical problem-solving, and we would wholeheartedly recommend exploring it further.
More Than a Conference
While the professional learning is undoubtedly a major strength of the event, the Whole Education Summer Conference is about much more than the sessions themselves.
The conference agenda creates space for meaningful conversations, the sharing of ideas and collaborative thinking. The evening networking event is always a highlight, bringing together professionals from across the country and providing valuable opportunities to strengthen existing partnerships and establish new connections.
It also offers a chance to spend time with colleagues away from the day-to-day demands of school life—although sometimes you discover far more about people than you ever expected, including an unexpected level of enthusiasm for a particular supermarket!
A Lasting Impact
Attending the Whole Education Summer Conference was one of the earliest decisions made as Deputy CEO, and it remains one of the best.
Each year, we return with fresh ideas, renewed energy and practical strategies that help strengthen our work across the Trust. Importantly, the conference also provides an opportunity for us to contribute to the wider educational community by sharing our own experiences and learning.
As a Trust, we firmly believe that education is at its strongest when practitioners work together, learn from one another and generously share their expertise. We take a great deal away from events like this, but we are equally committed to giving back.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with Whole Education and building on the conversations, connections and learning from another exceptional conference.
