Data Leads PLLC - Session 3

Session Overview

We are very much looking forward to welcoming colleagues back for the third session of the Inspiring Leaders Data Leads Professional Learning Community.

This session will build directly on the strategic discussions from our previous meeting with Ian Gilsenan (Delta Academies Trust) and continue our shared work exploring how trusts can strengthen their approach to data leadership, systems, and improvement planning.

The session will combine reflection, external input, and collaborative forward planning as we begin shaping priorities for the 2026–27 academic year.

Session Focus

During this session, we will work through three connected strands.

1. Reflection on strategic learning from Delta Academies Trust

We will begin by revisiting the key themes from Ian Gilsenan’s input at the last session and exploring whether this has influenced thinking or practice within your own trust. Colleagues are encouraged to come prepared with specific examples of:

• changes already made

• approaches currently being reviewed

• ideas being explored further following the session

This will help us understand how the network is supporting real development across trusts.

2. Guest input: Mark Solomon – Edu Intelligence

We are pleased to welcome Mark Solomon from Edu Intelligence, who will introduce the work they are doing with trusts to bring together multiple data sources into a single, integrated intelligence environment.

Edu Intelligence supports MAT leaders by combining information from across existing systems to create a clearer, more connected picture of performance, operations and organisational health at trust level. Mark will share how trusts are beginning to use this approach to:

• bring together data from multiple platforms into a single view

• support strategic leadership conversations across schools and trust teams

• strengthen trust-wide visibility of trends and priorities

• reduce duplication in reporting processes

• explore how emerging AI-informed tools can support more intelligent decision-making

This session is intended as a strategic conversation rather than a product demonstration, and will include time for discussion about how integrated intelligence platforms may influence future approaches to data strategy across our trusts.

Mark’s input will be followed by a Q&A discussion, providing colleagues with the opportunity to explore how this type of approach might complement existing systems and priorities within their own contexts.

3. Planning ahead: shaping priorities for 2026–27

As a network, we will also begin identifying shared priorities for the year ahead. This discussion will focus on:

• current operational challenges across trusts

• emerging strategic pressures on data leaders

• opportunities for collaboration between sessions

• potential themes for the 2026–27 PLLC programme

This will help ensure that the next phase of the Data Leads PLC continues to reflect the needs and ambitions of the group.

Looking Ahead

As always, the strength of this community comes from the openness and expertise of colleagues across the partnership. We look forward to continuing these conversations together and to hearing how practice is developing across trusts since our last session.

We very much hope you will be able to join us.