Expert on improving outcomes for disadvantaged learners delivers inspirational talk to staff

The Wessex Learning Trust began the new academic year with staff joining together for an inset day. Focused on addressing educational disadvantage and cross phase curriculum development, the inset day was a blend of virtual and face to face launching with an inspirational talk from the keynote speaker Marc Rowland. Marc is a national expert on the effective use of the Pupil Premium Grant and improving outcomes for disadvantaged learners.

Marc talked about how to foster a sense of belonging for and empowering all learners, regardless of background, and removing the deficit discourse around disadvantage and its impact on learning and participation in school life.

Subject based sessions took place in the afternoon, focusing on the curriculum from years 1 – 13. The sessions were informed by a cross phase work sample seeing learning through the prism of a child. Staff considered what scholarship might look like in each subject, how equality, diversity and inclusion could be developed in the subject and how Modern Britain might be developed within the subject area.

Marc led a Pupil Premium Strategy session with school leaders focused on priorities when addressing disadvantage and how these present across the curriculum and wider school life.

Marc will be working with the Wessex Learning Trust to further enhance our disadvantaged strategy, over the coming year and was delighted to talk to staff today saying ”Wessex Learning Trust have an ambition that all children, irrespective of background, will thrive in all aspects of school life. I am very pleased to be part of that work.”

Director of Learning, Sarah Hobbs, commented on the day: ”Wessex core vision is providing the best educational experience for every learner. Today staff from across all sixteen, soon to be seventeen, schools have come together to network, share expertise and collaborate face to face for the first time since restrictions were lifted. Marc’s input and the opportunity to meet like-minded colleagues, working cross phase and share curriculum has enhanced our school improvement strategy. It’s been a fantastic start to the new year with positive feedback on all aspects.”