Leading the Way 2021

Setting a clear strategy though strong leadership to utilise the power of technology in education

Join us for Episode 2 of the The Educator Experience, 26th May, 2.00 - 5:00pm. FREE.

Delivered as an upbeat and interactive chat-show, our open discussions will be a fantastic opportunity to hear stimulating discussion from thought leaders of the education world, who will help you to consider your EdTech strategy as you plan for the way ahead. An informative chat show that will help you to create a strategic vision and set a clear sustainable approach to the use of Edtech. Leading the Way will focus on:

The next steps for schools, as they return to the new normal of education.
The importance of agreeing a vision, and then setting the strategy to achieve this.
The impact of good governance
Financial viability to deliver strategy.

Together we can continue to build on the investments schools have made in learning platforms, the upskilling of staff and in the delivery of new devices to enable a new approach to education. Let’s share best practice to ensure a high quality of education as we move forward.

Upskilling Teachers

Designing Digital Strategy

Supporting Children

Evolving Leadership Styles

The Educator Experience

A Live Chat Show for Teachers and School Leaders

Our chat show is hosted by Jonathan and David, live from their state of the art television studio at Broadclyst Primary School. They will be joined by some wonderful guests throughout the afternoon.

Meet Your Hosts

Jonathan Bishop

CEO and Headteacher, Cornerstone Academy Trust

As a Microsoft Innovative Educator, Jonathan pioneered the use of digital technologies in the classroom for many years. Jonathan is a National Leader of Education and leads the Cornerstone Teaching School, BCPS Edtech Demonstrator Programme, English Hub and Science Learning Partnership. Having led his team through the transition to blended learning in 2020, whilst at the same time as bringing Cornerstone’s Edtech Demonstrator offer to a national audience, Jonathan has witnessed first-hand the common struggles and incredible achievements of educators from across the UK.

David James

Head of Education, Cornerstone Academy Trust

As the Head of Education Dave has played an integral role in providing the outstanding education that the Trust is known for and has overseen the embedding of technology for both teaching and learning, developing a rich learning platform in Microsoft365 and Teams. David has used his rich Edtech experience to lead an Edtech team from Cornerstone to support hundreds of schools and trusts across the country over the past 9 months through the work of the EdTech Demonstrator Programme and the Microsoft Showcase School.

Meet Our Guests

Zoe Briant-Evans

Governance Adviser, Babcock LDP

Zoe has a wealth of experience in governance at numerous different settings including sitting as the Chair of a local pre-school and early years education charity, and holding Chair roles within both the maintained and academy sectors. She has also governed as a trustee of a large local Trust Port and Harbour Authority.

Zoe’s background in strategic leadership and management follows a 17 year career as an officer in the Royal Navy. During which time she held a variety of roles including command of her own warship, teaching at post graduate level and serving on operations in the Middle East. Following her military career she has worked as a governance advisor with Babcock LDP, supporting schools across Devon in all governance matters and, in particular, delivering training for governors and trustees.

Fiona Collier

Senior Governance Adviser, Babcock LDP

Fiona is a Senior Governance Adviser within the Babcock LDP Governance Consultancy Team in Devon, which is a joint venture with Devon County Council. Fiona is the chair of the South West Co-ordinators Of Governor Services (SWCOGS) group and represents the SW region on the National COGS board, where she is vice-chair.

In addition to her advice and training role Fiona is the editor of Governance Today Magazine and has recently collaborated on the NCOGS Clerking Handbook, a national resource for clerks and governance professionals.

Stef Edwards

Leader of Learn Academies Trust

Stef has been in primary education since 1986. A teacher and former Primary Literacy Strategy Consultant, she was headteacher of Great Bowden Academy for 11 years until she was appointed to the full-time Learn-AT Trust Leader post in 2017. A National Leader of Education, Stef is passionate about teachers’ professional learning and about securing wellbeing, equity and excellence in education for every child. She is an experienced system leader and has worked effectively in strategic school improvement contexts. Stef has a Master’s in Education Research Inquiry and is studying for a doctorate in the leadership of teachers’ professional learning.

Trevor Finlay

Managing Director, Vision Asset Finance

Trevor Finlay is the Managing Director at Vision Asset Finance. Trevor has over 20 years of experience in setting up ICT Leasing arrangements for schools throughout the UK and Ireland.

Jack Hatton

Teacher, Academy for Character and Excellence

Jack became a teacher at Redhills Primary School after completing his PGCE in 2019 at Exeter University. He is extremely passionate about encouraging children to be the best version of themselves and is excited about the role technology can play in improving pedagogy. Since October, he has been leading a project team of teachers from across the trust, to investigate how technology can improve our ability to collaborate.

William Jaworski

Executive Headteacher, Academy for Character and Excellence

William has been a member of the Trust for the last four years, initially joining as Headteacher of Redhills Community Primary School in Exeter and progressing to become Headteacher at Totnes St John’s C of E Primary School. He leads on data and assessment across the trust and is very interested in how technology can transform learning.

Will Jordan

Co-Founder, IMP Software

Will Jordan FCCA has worked with Academies and MATs since the first ‘phase two’ Academies opened in September 2010. As a Qualified Accountant and Financial Technology specialist, Will now works with established Multi Academy Trusts to strengthen their financial planning and reporting processes by replacing legacy software with MAT specific, agile tools.

Graham Newbery

Trust Business Manager, Cornerstone

Graham has been the Trust Business Manager since January 2013. Prior to joining the Cornerstone team, he spent 24 years with Devon County Council performing a number of roles. These roles included direct delivery of finance advice to schools for a number of years; Finance Manager for the reorganisation of Exeter's schools from an Infant/Junior/High system to Primary/Secondary, including a PFI scheme to rebuild all of the city's secondaries.

Graham spent three years seconded to the DfE as Regional Manager for the South West and West Midlands Educational Procurement Centre - a project aimed at driving efficiencies and cost savings in schools across the country.

Claire Platt

Director of Education, Academy for Character and Excellence

Claire is the Director of Education at the Academy for Character and Excellence and leads on school improvement, professional development and the trust IT strategy, amongst other things. Her role occasionally involves taking on an Executive Leader role to work alongside inexperienced headteachers and she currently enjoys leading a team of seven Headteachers.

Prior to joining the trust in 2017, Claire was a Headteacher and Executive Headteacher in Torbay. She has also been a Local Authority English consultant and held a number of teaching and school leadership positions.

Anthony Salcito

Vice President, Worldwide Education, Microsoft

In his role leading the worldwide execution of Microsoft’s vision for education, Anthony Salcito works to help empower educators and inspire students to achieve more. He aims to transform the way we learn with the support of technology to help build critical skills for the modern, global workplace.

Bronnie Williams

Teacher and Phase Lead, Cornerstone

Bronnie Williams trained to teach a Cornerstone Academy Trust and has worked there ever since. She is currently a Year 6 teacher at Broadclyst Community Primary Shool and leads Key Stage 2 across the Trust. As English and Drama subject lead, she is also passionate about the Creative Arts and harnessing drama as a tool to support learning in the wider curriculum. Bronnie is an MIE and understands the role that technology plays in the classroom. Her use of Office 365 is embedded throughout her classroom practice and is integral to building independent, 21st century learners.

Watch on Catch-up

This will be available on catch-up as part of our membership package after the event. Register for free now and catch-up on 'Episode 1: Road to Recovery'. Once registered you will also benefit from being able to access our entire back catalogue of CPD content. Enjoy!

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