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.
	Attendance as a whole school responsibility, culture and belonging
	ISBL 'Leadership and Leadership Change'
	Fostering a sense of belonging and developing good inclusive and relational practice
	Reframing inclusion in light of the SEND Reforms
	Neurodiversity in the workplace
	Communicating with Confidence
	Values-driven Leadership
12:30-13:15	Lunch
13:15-14:30	Workshop Session 2 with reflection time in school teams
14:30-14:45	Plenary

Live Keynote Speaker

Further Session Information

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

Attendance as a whole school responsibility, culture and belonging (Attendance Teams)

Led by Helen Britton, Associate Deputy Principal, Pastoral Care and Attendance, Temple Moor High School

Helen has held strategic responsibility for attendance at Temple Moor High School since 2019. This role has expanded to include oversight of the school’s pastoral and inclusion teams, alongside leading phase leaders to ensure strong alignment between pastoral and academic support, reflecting the clear link between attendance and achievement.

Temple Moor High School was part of the original DfE Attendance Hub with Northshore Academy, and Helen has been involved in the Leeds Attendance Steering Group as well as current RISE attendance and behaviour hubs. While attendance is a complex issue influenced by school context, demographics and resources, Helen believes there are core principles of effective practice that apply in all settings. Strong systems enable resources to be used efficiently, supporting targeted interventions and the development of positive, trusting relationships with students and families

The session will cover attendance as a whole school responsibility, culture and belonging. How do we start the day? Using MIS systems to reduce workload and allow effective tracking, cohesive working and triangulation, resources and support.

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)

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)

More details to follow.

Values-driven Leadership (all operational colleagues and leaders)

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.