CEOs and Education Directors - Conference 3

Purpose and Focus of the Day

This conference has been intentionally designed in response to feedback from our January session and ongoing dialogue across the partnership.

We are operating in a system that is becoming increasingly:

• Complex (particularly around SEND and inclusion)

• Evolving (through Ofsted practice and national reform)

• Opportunity-rich (through AI, data and new models of collaboration)

The day will therefore focus on three core leadership challenges:

1. How we design sustainable, inclusive local systems, particularly for SEND

2. How we respond strategically to national reform (White Paper direction)

3. How we build capacity and clarity within our organisations through better use of data and technology

Alongside this, we will continue to prioritise professional dialogue, shared learning and partnership thinking.

Full Agenda

09:30 – 10:00 | Welcome, Strategic Framing & Inspiring Leaders Updates

James Brown

James will open the day by reconnecting leaders with the wider partnership priorities and framing the strategic context for the sessions that follow.

10:00 – 11:00 | Data, AI and Unlocking Capacity Across Trusts

Paul Ford (wechange.ai) & Mark Solomon (Edu Intelligence)

This session brings together two complementary perspectives on how trusts can move from fragmented systems and reactive processes to intentional, intelligent and capacity-creating use of data and AI.

wechange.ai – Paul Ford
Paul will focus on the human and organisational side of digital transformation, exploring:

• How AI can support MAT to best understand the knowledge and capability status of thier workforce in relation to technology use

• How this can then create meaningul reports and action to support improvements and effeciences through professional learning and strategic analaysis.

• Utlimately how AI can give employees time back - which is one of our most precious assets. 

Edu Intelligence – Mark Solomon
Mark will demonstrate how trusts can transform their data infrastructure by:

• Connecting multiple data sources through APIs into a single, unified platform

• Moving from static reporting to live, intelligent analytics

• Using AI to generate insights that support strategic and operational decision-making

• Reducing duplication and increasing confidence in data across leadership teams

This session is designed to move thinking from “what tools are available?” to “how do we build a coherent digital strategy across our trust?”

11:00 – 11:20 | Break

11:20 – 12:30 | A Strategic Local Approach to SEND Provision: Learning from Westminster

Claire Shepherd – Headteacher, College Park School

We are delighted to welcome Claire Shepherd, who will share a powerful and highly relevant case study of system-level SEND design in practice.

Claire leads specialist provision for autistic pupils with complex needs across multiple sites and has played a central role in shaping Westminster LAs strategic response to increasing SEND demand.

This session will explore:

• How Westminster has anticipated demographic change and planned provision accordingly

• The development of satellite specialist provision within mainstream and special settings

• How consistency of practice, culture and quality has been maintained across multiple sites

• The role of partnership between local authority, trusts and schools in delivering this model

Importantly, this is not just about provision—it is about system architecture:

How do we design a local system that meets need, rather than reacting to it?

This directly reflects the direction of national reform, including:

• A shift toward inclusive mainstream systems alongside specialist provision

• Stronger local partnership and shared accountability

• A more coherent, place-based approach to SEND

The session will include structured discussion, enabling leaders to consider:

• What could be possible within their own locality

• The implications for MAT strategy, growth and partnership

• The enabling conditions required to move from idea to implementation

12:30 – 13:15 | Lunch & Networking

13:15 – 14:00 | Ofsted in Practice – What Are We Seeing Now?

Building on our January session, this facilitated discussion will revisit recent inspection experiences across the partnership.

We will explore:

• How inspection practice is continuing to evolve in real time

• Emerging patterns in leadership conversations, evidence expectations and judgement formation

• Implications for trust QA, leadership preparation and organisational clarity

This session is designed to move beyond anecdote to collective intelligence, supporting leaders to refine their approach with greater confidence.

14:00 – 14:45 | Schools White Paper – Strategic Implications for MAT Leaders

This session will focus on the recently published DfE White Paper: Every Child Achieving and Thriving.

James will provide a short strategic input, followed by structured table discussion exploring:

• Key shifts in direction (e.g. inclusion, collaboration, accountability, workforce, AI)

• What these changes signal for the future role of MATs

• Strategic risks, opportunities and unanswered questions

• Where partnership working may be required to respond effectively

14:45 – 15:00 | Close & Next Steps

Expectations for the Day

This is a working session, not a passive conference.

We ask that all participants:

• Engage actively in discussion and reflection

• Share insight and emerging practice from their own context

• Consider both trust-level and locality-level implications

• Leave with clear next steps or areas for further exploration

We look forward to seeing you all there and hope we can see at least one delegate from each partner MAT in attendance.