Sheffield schools gather for second annual conference
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Mercia Learning conference gave staff from King Ecgbert, Newfield and Mercia secondary schools and those from Totley, Nether Edge and Valley Park primaries, the opportunity to meet at the Lyceum Theatre on Monday, February 24.
Keynote speakers included Tom Bennett, founder of researchED, a grass-roots organisation that raises research literacy in education, and Will Hussey, author of ‘The Art of Being Brilliant’ who encourages people to think differently by combining teacher-training with stage-hypnosis.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdChris French became CEO of Mercia Learning Trust 18 months ago and has focused on building upon the effective teaching in all the schools he inherited, doing things such as supporting growth and sharing best practice through the trust, to ensure every pupil in every school has a great education.
He said: “The conference fits into this broad agenda. It provides an opportunity for all staff and governors within the trust to meet together, to re-emphasise our mission, to celebrate and share the great work of schools, to listen to internationally renowned keynote educational speakers, and to work in partnership around shared priorities.
“For this year we will continue to focus on the curriculum, what is taught in lessons, but also personal development – effectively all those things that schools do to ensure all pupils grow into well-mannered, hard-working, ambitious, informed and resilient individuals.”
Attended by around 500 people, the day began with a group dance performance from young boys in Years 2 to 6 from across the schools – taking great courage as many were not experienced dancers and some had never even danced before.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdEach of the six headteachers also gave a presentation on an area of personal development as outlined in the Mercia Learning Trust’s pupil values – ambition, strength, passion, independence, respect and endeavour – which will help students realise their potential and lead a happy, healthy and fulfilled life.
The afternoon then gave classroom-based staff the chance to discuss curriculum framework in smaller cluster groups based on subject or key stage.