Ralph Thoresby School

Welcome to Ralph Thoresby School. Here, we’re bringing together operational, pastoral, SLT and SENCO colleagues. Although we’re spread across venues, this is still very much one Red Kite Day, a chance to connect, collaborate and learn together through a programme of role-specific sessions.

Red Kite Day 8 Programme at Ralph Thoresby School

Time	Session
08:30-09:10	Registration and refreshments
09:15-10:00	Keynote - Sanjay Bhandari, Chair of Kick it Out 'Reasons to be Cheerful' Why, in Education, not only do we have reasons to be optimistic but that optimism is an essential ingredient to leading change. It's an obligation
10:00-10:10	Comfort Break
10:10-11:00	Keynote - Professor Julia Yates, City St George's, University of London 'Flourishing at Work: Psychological theories and teacher satisfaction' Work happiness is clearly an important goal for every one of us, and evidence shows us that higher levels of job satisfaction have a positive impact well beyond our daily work, improving the quality of our lives overall and even having a positive impact on our family and friends. But what makes someone flourish at work? And what can we do to help ourselves and our teams to thrive in their own careers? In this session, Julia will talk through some of the research behind job satisfaction, offering insights as to how we can help ourselves and our teams to thrive at work. Julia will also touch on Gen Z and their particular motivations and expectations for work and careers.
11:00-11:30	Break with refreshments
11:30-12:30	Workshop Session 1 - please see the drop down boxes below for more information about these workshops.	Room
	ISBL 'Leadership and Leadership Change'	C204
	Fostering a sense of belonging and developing good inclusive and relational practice	Assembly Hall
	Neurodiversity in the workplace	C210
	Communicating with Confidence	C209
	Values-driven Leadership	C201
12:30-13:15	Lunch
13:15-14:30	Workshop Session 2 with reflection time in school teams Evaluation Form
14:30-14:45	Plenary

Live Keynote Speaker

Further Session Information

A range of workshops suitable for operational, pastoral and SLT colleagues.

ISBL 'Leadership and Leadership Change' (Operational Leaders and Line Managers)

Learning outcomes

This training will reference and help to meet the following knowledge descriptors from the ISBL Professional Standards across the Lead Practitioner Level of the Operational Leadership Discipline:

Understands different leadership styles and how they might create an inclusive and innovative leadership and team approach.
Understands the value of due diligence in assessing the impact of change, innovation and growth.

Session focus

• Developing and setting organisational culture and values

• Leadership styles and effective leadership – including effective internal and external communication of strategic priorities and measuring understanding and engagement

• Gain self-awareness of your leadership characteristics and your professional development needs.

• Strengthening your preparedness and skills to lead others.

• Using appropriate leadership styles (and tools) for specific situations and desired outcomes.

• Efficiently and effectively developing the capacity of those whom you lead.

• Develop a culture of continuing professional learning within your organisation.

• Effective planning and implementation of planned organisational change.

• Responding successfully to unexpected outcomes and challenges.

This session is suitable for anyone in an operational leadership or line management role.

Fostering a sense of belonging and developing good inclusive and relational practice (Pastoral Teams)

Led by Tom Shaw. Fostering a sense of belonging and developing good inclusive and relational practice

Tom's current role is Director of Research & Development at Carr Manor Community School, Leeds. He started in 2016 and was soon developing the Restorative Practice and Character work that had begun at Carr Manor Community School and Wetherby High School. On behalf of the Leeds Learning Alliance (LLA), Tom has led on the promotion of 'inclusion, collaboration and ambition' to a wide range of education facing organisations across the country. This has included Tom developing a Professional Learning Network across the LLA, the design and delivery of programmes for Leading Inclusive Cultures, Leading for Peace and a project on leading Social and Emotional Learning in partnership with the EEF.

Reframing inclusion in light of the SEND Reforms (SENCO and SLT)

Led by Laura Page, Director of Schools Supported

Laura is Director of Schools Supported, a consultancy for SEND and inclusion. She has worked in education as a teacher, middle and senior leader and as a Director of Inclusion in a MAT. Working nationally, she supports MATs, schools and Local Authorities to navigate the changing landscape of SEND and inclusive practice for all.

Why now, what next? - Reframing inclusion in light of the SEND Reforms

The White Paper SEND Reforms are a clear signal that the system has to change and quickly. This session sets out the intent behind the changes, why early identification has moved from good practice to non-negotiable, how leaders of inclusion can use policy to drive continuous improvement for SEND and why SENCo's mustn't do this alone.

Authentic collaboration in and beyond the school community.

A working session focused on what real collaboration looks like, within teams, with families and children, across schools, and with the system around our children. We'll consider what gets in the way, how inspection and reform policy can support collaboration, who's voices are missing and most importantly, what opportunities this brings to your setting.

Neurodiversity in the workplace (all operational colleagues and leaders)

RT photo

Led by Ria Tomlinson, HR Director RKLT

This workshop is designed to explore neurodivergence in the workplace and how we can support colleagues and ourselves through strengthening and broadening our understanding of of different types of neurodivergence. We will work through understanding communication methods, reasonable adjustments, supportive tools as a colleague or line manager and how to be an inclusive workplace. Suitable for colleagues wanting to raise their awareness and support others, line managers wanting to explore how to support colleagues and anyone with an interest in inclusivity.

Communicating with Confidence (all operational colleagues and leaders)

Jen Headshot High Res (1)

Led by Jennifer Bartram

Jennifer Bartram is a TV and radio presenter and TEDx speaker with more than two decades of experience across BBC News and Weather and is passionate about helping people find their voice. Alongside broadcasting, she’s worked in education as a course leader at the University of West London and now works as a coach, teaching storytelling, presence and body language to help people communicate with confidence and impact, whether in the newsroom or classroom.

School and education professionals present and communicate regularly to diverse stakeholders but most have never had any formal training in communication skills. This interactive workshop will empower individuals to communicate more effectively with impact. We will explore how modifying choice of language, voice techniques and simple but effective body language can transform not only the confidence of the speaker but also the delivery of the message. This session will help you to become more engaging and persuasive as a communicator so that you can share information and messages with authority and impact. You will experience and practise memorable communication techniques and strategies that can transform your confidence and the effectiveness of your communication, facilitation and presentations.

Values-driven Leadership (all operational colleagues and leaders)

Yates, Julia

Led by Professor Julia Yates

Most people choose a career in education to make a difference. But day to day pressures can often dominate and sometimes it can feel like there isn't much space left over to focus on the things that really matter. In this interactive workshop, Julia will introduce Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, an evidence-based approach that helps us to reconnect with our values and identify practical steps we can take to make sure that we are focusing our energies where they best align with what matters to us.

Arrival and Parking Information

Parking is available in the school carpark on Holtdale Approach.

Please wear your school lanyard and report to the Main Reception on arrival.

Photography and Videography

Photography and videography will take place at this event for Red Kite marketing purposes, including (but not limited to) use on our website and social media channels. Attendance constitutes your consent to be included; however, if you prefer not to be identifiable in images, you may opt out by wearing a yellow lanyard. We will make reasonable efforts to respect this, but please be aware that it may not be possible to exclude individuals from large group or crowd shots.