Sir William Atkinson, one of the UK’s most respected headteachers and the inspiration behind BBC drama Hope and Glory, starring fellow knight Sir Lenny Henry, was one of the keynote speakers at this years’ Professional Learning Conference, held at the Marches School in Oswestry on Monday 26th February.
Sir William Atkinson, who is credited with ‘turning around’ one of the worst schools in the country, shared his ‘magic formula’ having influenced the success of Phoenix High School, West London in achieving “a remarkable school”, as rated by Ofsted.
Sir William Atkinson, who also contributed to Channel 4’s programme The Unteachables, was joined by some of educations most prestigious speakers including; the Chief Executive of the Chartered College of Teaching, Professor Dame Alison Peacock, experienced teacher and school leader Ross McGill and star of Educating Essex Vic Goddard.
Over 360 educational professionals including headteachers, senior leaders and teaching staff, attended the one day conference and heard first-hand from an eclectic mix of motivational and inspirational speakers from across the education spectrum and engaged in workshops focusing on Leading Learning, Growth Mindset and Effective Partnerships.
The professional learning conference in partnership with the Strategic School Improvement Fund is the third event hosted at the Marches School following the success of the Festival of Education last year with Child Psychologist Professor Robert Winston addressing the audience.
Sarah Longville, CEO of The Marches Academy Trust, said, “For the third consecutive year we are fortunate to be able to continue stimulating our school colleagues on a national level with speakers including Sir William Atkinson, the inspiration behind the BBC’s drama Hope and Glory. The principle aim of the event is to see schools working collaboratively towards a shared vision and enhancing our education system”.
