City Academy Bristol, the newest member of the Cabot federation

Summer in the City

Over a thousand staff from Cabot Learning Federation gather for annual summer conference

Posted by Stephanie Broad | July 20, 2016 | Events

• #cabot-learning-federation
• #summer-conference
• #academies
• #teachers
• #cpd
• #oasis-academies

What happens when 1,300 school staff descend on one academy for the day? If the Cabot Learning Federation’s summer conference is anything to go by, it’s the ultimate CPD. At City Academy Bristol, the first academy school in the south west, teachers and support staff from all the federation’s schools recently gathered to network, share best practice and hear from experts across the education sector.

The conference was opened by Rebecca Clark, Regional Schools Commissioner for the South West, and Steve Taylor, CEO of the federation.

Steve Taylor said of the conference: “The Cabot Learning Federation summer conference is one of two showcase events that take place each year and a chance for over 1,300 staff from 15 CLF schools to meet, work and collaborate on the same day in one venue. 1,300 hundred staff working together to improve the life chances of over 8000 children we serve here in the South West of which these events plays a pivotal role. This conference also allows us the opportunity to celebrate the work carried out by colleagues and students who also played their part in the day’s events.” 

The latest academy to join the Cabot family is Haywood Village Academy, a newly-built primary school in Weston-Super-Mare, which will accommodate 420 pupils when full. The school will open in September for reception year children. 

The packed day of workshops covered the entire curriculum as well as topics for pupil wellbeing, including body image, mindfulness and inclusion. 

Matt Butler, Regional Director for Oasis Academies South West (secondary), gave the second keynote on Kaizen. Kaizen, Matt explained, is the art of ‘marginal gains’ – making small incremental changes to make a big difference. This theory can be applied to tasks such as marking and lesson-planning, and can help school leaders manage change and drive improvement. 

Other speakers included Alexander Technique practitioner Jennifer Mackerras, Stephen McNamera from law firm Veale Wasbrough Vizards, and Rowan Hibbert from the Outdoors Project. The day, packed with learning and training opportunities, is sure to set up staff well for the new academic year. 

www.cabotlearningfederation.net