Red Kite Day 8 inspires 750 colleagues to find hope in a challenging world
Posted 7th September 2026
More than 750 colleagues from 22 secondary and special schools across Red Kite Alliance came together in July for Red Kite Day 8, a day dedicated to professional learning, collaboration and renewed optimism for the future of education.
Held across four alliance venues, Crawshaw Academy, Lawnswood School, Prince Henry's Grammar School and Ralph Thoresby School, the event united teachers, leaders and support staff under the theme Finding Hope in a Challenging World.
Through inspirational keynote speakers, subject and role-specific networks, practical workshops and dedicated reflection time, colleagues explored some of the opportunities and challenges facing education today while strengthening professional connections across the alliance.
The day began with a keynote from Sanjay Bhandari MBE, Chair of Kick It Out, whose message of optimism, leadership and purposeful change set the tone for the event. Colleagues then took part in a diverse programme tailored to their subjects and roles, hearing from keynote speakers including Professor Leigh Hoath (Leeds Trinity University), Professor Julia Yates (City St George’s, University of London), Nick Barley (National Poetry Centre), Edward Davies (Centre for Social Justice) and Katie White OBE MP, alongside a wide range of practitioner-led workshops and discussions.
Across the four venues, colleagues engaged with topics ranging from curriculum innovation, inclusion and teacher wellbeing to leadership, professional collaboration and emerging challenges facing schools. The programme provided opportunities not only to learn from leading experts, but also to share effective practice with peers and build networks that will continue to support improvement across schools.
As the new academic year begins, the impact of Red Kite Day 8 is already being felt. Colleagues have returned to their schools with new ideas, fresh perspectives and strengthened partnerships, helping to ensure that the learning from the day translates into meaningful benefits for pupils, staff and school communities.
"Red Kite Day gave us the opportunity to meaningfully connect across our Alliance community; Sanjay's message of positivity and hope set the tone for a fantastic day for colleagues to reflect, re-set and recommit to our shared purpose. I came away believing that we really are stronger together!"
Sara Davidson, Director of Red Kite Education
"It was amazing to bring colleagues together and really find that hope in a challenging world. The feedback we've had was incredibly positive and I definitely felt that we connected as an Alliance."
Will Carr, Headteacher at Ralph Thoresby School and Chair of Red Kite Alliance
"This was an incredible event and an oasis amongst all the demands of our wonderful profession, in which to reset and collectively rediscover our shared values once again."
Ian Tucker, Chief Executive Officer of Red Kite Learning Trust
As one of the alliance's flagship professional learning events, Red Kite Day brings colleagues together to learn, collaborate and be inspired by the collective expertise that exists across our schools. As colleagues embark on the new academic year, the ideas, relationships and renewed sense of purpose developed during the day will continue to shape practice across the alliance, ensuring that the impact of Red Kite Day extends far beyond a single day in July.