ALL STAFF TRUST CONFERENCE 2025
Guest Speakers Peps McCrea and John Nichol
The Ravensbourne School, Hayes Lane, Bromley
BREAKOUT SESSION INFORMATION
Teaching Staff Associate Staff
Key Note Speakers
Peps McCrea Director of Education, Steplab
Peps Mccrea, award-winning teacher educator, designer and author. He is Director of Education at Steplab and author of the ultraconcise High Impact Teaching series.
John Nichol Flight Lieutenant
Shot down and captured in the Gulf War, RAF navigator John Nichol shares powerful lessons on resilience, leadership and turning adversity into opportunity.
Breakout Session 1 - 11:20-12:00
Expert Teaching Unpacked
Peps McCrea, Director of Education, Steplab
Teachers ~ Leaders Teaching Support Staff
In this session, we will watch and jointly analyse several clips of the UK's best teaching in action, both at primary and secondary phase. It will build on the ideas introduced in the keynote, and provide lots of opportunities for discussion and practical takeaways.
Powerful Conversations
Lisa Peterkin - Director of Secondary
All
In this session, you will learn why powerful conversations are necessary and develop concrete, practical steps and models for improving and enriching workplace relationships that provide the right support and challenge for all.
Breakout Session 1 - 11:20-12:00
Highly Effective Mentoring
How to lead and get the best out of others
Alex Howard - Trust ITT and ECT Lead
Laura Philips - Teacher and Mentor, Orion Scotts Park
Teachers ~ Leaders
In this session, Alex and Laura will explain the foundations of excellent mentoring and encourage staff to reflect on their experience as mentors or mentees, consider new and exciting approaches to leading others and give some helpful and practical tips on how to get the best out of people. If you have mentored trainees or ECTs before, mentor someone at the moment or would like to in the future, come along and join the conversation.
High Value Adaptive TA Strategies:
Danielle Lee - Trust Lead SEND and Inclusion
Sam Anderson - SENCO (Primary)
Teaching Assistants/Support Staff
High Value Adaptive TA Strategies will explore how adaptive teaching principles can be effectively embedded into teaching assistant support to drive meaningful impact. Drawing on Alex Quigley’s framework of scaffolds, scale, structure and style, this session will equip participants with practical strategies to tailor support, enhance engagement, and build sustainable capacity across diverse educational contexts.
Breakout Session 1 - 11:20-12:00
Smarter Reading:
Practical Strategies & AI Tools for the Classroom
David Worden - Assistant Headteacher
Gemma Williams - Trust Primary English Reading Lead
Teachers ~ Teaching Support Staff
Discover how AI tools like CoPilot and ChatGPT can support reading and comprehension across the curriculum through vocabulary, summarising, and questioning strategies. In this session, we will also explore how to use Reading data (NGRT) to identify needs and apply targeted classroom approaches that boost literacy for all pupils.
From Passive to Active:
Strategies to Get pupils Thinking More
Sarah Wanniaratchy - Head of Maths Orion Coopers
Kellie Hancke - Teacher Orion Scotts Park
Teachers ~ Leaders Teaching Support Staff
Do you want your pupils to do more of the thinking in your lessons? This practical session explores how to shift cognitive load from teacher to pupil by maximising the participation ratio. You’ll leave with adaptable, high-impact strategies that increase engagement, deepen understanding, and ensure all pupils are actively involved in their learning. Ideal for teachers and teaching support staff across all subjects and phases who want to make thinking visible, purposeful and routine in their classrooms.
Breakout Session 1 - 11:20-12:00
Don’t Just
Tell
Them-Show Them:
Mastering the Art of Modeling
Kamilah James - Associate Senior Leader T&L Primary
Ash Lucas - AP T&L TRS
Aline Canning - Head of MFL Orion Coopers
Teachers ~ Leaders Teaching Support Staff
Ever feel like your pupils just aren’t “getting it” no matter how clearly you explain? This dynamic session unpacks the art and science of great modelling— revealing how to make thinking visible, reduce confusion, and give pupils a real chance to succeed. Come away with practical strategies and the confidence to model like a master in any subject or phase.
Bedevilling Up-levelling:
Teaching to the Top
Pratik Patel - Head of School TRS
Dave Taylor - Deputy Head Orion Blenheim
Teachers ~ Leaders Teaching Support Staff
This session explores practical strategies to stretch and challenge all learners through high expectations, intelligent scaffolding, and a "Teach to the Top" mindset. Discover how to design learning that supports every pupil to access complex thinking, develop deep understanding, and thrive in a high-challenge classroom culture.
Breakout Session 1 - 11:20-12:00
From Attendance Data to Action:
Forensic Approaches to Attendance
Andy Bocchi - Executive Principal Primary
This session explores how daily, research-informed practices can drive real-time improvements in attendance. We will look at the role we all play in securing strong attendance and how sometimes it can be the small gestures such as a welcoming smile that make the biggest difference. The session equips staff in any role with practical approaches to identify patterns, spot early warning signs, and intervene quickly and effectively. By examining what the data reveals and what actions it demands the session demonstrates how a forensic lens on attendance can support timely, targeted support for pupils and families, build accountability, and create a culture where every day in school truly counts.
AI and the Art of the Possible
Using Today’s Tools Safely
Stephen Osprey and James Collins - Technology Services Group
Explore the transformative potential of AI while staying grounded in responsible use. This session will demystify the capabilities of current AI tools and provide practical guidance on how to harness them effectively—without compromising on safety, ethics, or compliance. Whether you're experimenting with generative models or integrating AI into business workflows, you'll leave with a clear understanding of how to innovate confidently and responsibly.
Breakout Session 2 - 13:00-13:40
Responsive Coaching in Action:
Ensuring our coaching leads to lasting changes to teacher practice
Rachel Sewell - Director of Implementation, Steplab
Leaders ~ Instructional Coaches
During this interactive session, we will deconstruct a coaching feedback conversation, and explore how expert instructional coaches systematically develop teachers' awareness, insight and mental models. Expect lots of paired talk and opportunities to practise your coaching skills.
Leading Yourself Better:
(especially when you're tired and grumpy)
George McMillan - Executive Principal and Executive Chairman of Leaderbeing
Leaders ~ Aspiring Leaders
The art of leadership is much about the 'being' of leadership, rather than the 'doing' of leadership. It's the art of a great conversation that moves people from A to B - it starts with leadership of self, then leadership of others.
Breakout Session 2 - 13:00-13:40
Power Up Your Feedback:
Transforming Learning Through Clarity
Natasha Raphoz - Trust Director of English
Nneka Lawson - Head of Social Sciences and Enterprise OEP
Matt Linzey - AHT Orion Scotts Park
Teachers ~ Teaching Support Staff
Feedback is one of the most powerful tools in any educator’s teaching and learning toolkit. This session will explore how to embed feedback consistently throughout a pupil’s learning journey, and how AI can be leveraged to provide instant support—both to enhance learning and to reduce teacher workload. We’ll also look at how revisiting and building on previous feedback can lead to rapid improvement.
Using Assessment Data and Pupil
Progress to Drive Effective Planning and Enhance Teaching and Learning
Fiona Kelly - Director of Primary
David Freeman - Trust Director of Maths
This session explores how you can make meaningful use of assessment data and pupil progress tracking to inform lesson planning, target interventions, and raise attainment. Participants will examine practical strategies for analysing data at class, group, and individual levels to identify learning gaps and strengths.
Breakout Session 2 - 13:00-13:40
What can we all learn about teaching in the Early Years?
Katie Whitehead - Trust EYFS Lead
Ali Stanley - Head of School Orion Mead Road
Teachers ~ Leaders Teaching Support Staff
The foundations of learning in Reception support children's learning throughout their school education. As part of this session, we will explore what outstanding teaching in the Early Years looks like including how to teach early writing, maths skills and fine motor skills. This will support teachers at all phases when planning for their classes so that all children can reach their highest potential, and give teachers the understanding of where a child's learning journey at school begins and how to best to support them from that starting point.
Heads Full, Minds Empty:
Tackling Cognitive Overload in the Classroom
Kamilah James - Associate Primary Senior Lead Primary T&L
Charley Davis - AP and PD Lead Orion Spires
Teachers ~ Teaching Support Staff
Why do pupils zone out just when learning matters most? This dynamic session dives into the science of attention and cognitive overload, revealing how even the best-planned lessons can overwhelm working memory. Join us to explore powerful, practical strategies grounded in cognitive theory that will help you simplify, focus, and supercharge pupil learningwithout burning out their brains (or yours).
Breakout Session 2 - 13:00-13:40
Learning that Lasts:
Planning for Meaning and Deep Understanding, not just Coverage
Dr Lauren Burroughs - Associate AP T&L
Orion Eden Park
Teachers ~ Leaders Teaching Support Staff
This session explores how meaningful learning - where new ideas are connected to relevant prior knowledgehelps pupils build robust bodies of knowledge and deepen their understanding. We’ll delve into practical strategies for curriculum planning, checking for meaning, and using Ausubel’s powerful insight to design learning that endures.
Getting to Grips with Phonics
Kathryn Whelton - Reading Lead Orion Scotts Park
Teachers ~ Teaching Support Staff
This will be a top up session for staff that are either new to the Read, Write, Ink programme, or those that need a refresher. This will be aimed at staff that teach Year 1 or Year 2 speed sound lessons, as well as for any staff that work in KS2 or beyond that take a speed sound group, or run phonics interventions.
Breakout Session 2 - 13:00-13:40
The Standards you Walk Past are the Standards you Accept:
How to drive high standards of behaviour at all levels
Mark Ridley - Executive Principal Secondary All
This session will focus on driving up standards of behaviour and culture within a school setting focussing on key actions, routines and processes and how to ensure approaches are impactful.
Great Customer Service in Schools
Jesse White - CFO and Sue Allis - HR Director
In every interaction with parents, pupils, and the wider community, schools have the opportunity to build trust, foster belonging, and create lasting impact. This session explores what great customer service looks like in an educational setting from the language we use to the empathy we show. Learn practical strategies for communicating with care, handling difficult conversations, and ensuring every member of your school community feels heard, respected, and supported.
Associate Staff
Breakout Session 3 - 13:45-14:25
Leading Others Better: (especially when they're tricky!)
George McMillan - Executive Principal & Executive Chairman of Leaderbeing
Leaders ~ Aspiring Leaders
The art of leadership is much about the 'being' of leadership, rather than the 'doing' of leadership. It's the art of a great conversation that moves people from A to Bit starts with leadership of self, then leadership of others.
Small Shifts, Big Impact: Embedding Change that Lasts
Fiona Kelly - Director of Primary All
What if the key to successful implementation - whether in your school, your team, or your personal life - wasn’t about working harder, but about working smarter through small, consistent changes? In this practical workshop, we’ll explore how James Clear’s Atomic Habits model can transform the way we approach implementation across our Trust. You’ll learn how to build systems that stick, create momentum through tiny wins, and align your actions with values - both professionally and personally.
Breakout Session 3 - 13:45-14:25
Voices in Motion:
Mastering the Art of Oracy
Natasha Raphoz - Trust Director of English
Susie Price - Teacher and SLT Orion Ravensworth
Teachers ~ Teaching Support Staff
Unlock the power of pupil voice through purposeful talk! This dynamic session explores practical, high-impact oracy strategies that bring classrooms to life. Discover how structured speaking and listening activities can deepen thinking, boost confidence, and create inclusive, engaging learning environments. Whether you’re new to oracy or looking to refine your approach, come away with ready-touse techniques that elevate discourse, foster collaboration, and help every pupil find - and use - their voice.
Building Stamina for Extended Writing
Jelena Milinkovic - Head of English/AAP Orion Coopers
Nicole Viljoen - Trust Primary English/Writing Lead Orion Mead Road
Teachers ~ Teaching Support Staff
In an age of instant communication, many pupils find extended writing a challenge. This session explores how to build stamina, fluency, and confidence across both primary and secondary. We’ll share practical strategies – from oral rehearsal and sentence stacking to scaffolding and timed writing – and consider how to create a consistent, cross-phase approach. Grounded in research, the session offers adaptable ideas to support reluctant writers, stretch the most able, and strengthen transition, leaving participants with a toolkit for writing success.
Breakout Session 3 - 13:45-14:25
Say It To Teach It:
Maximising Impact with Visualisers
Ash Lucas - AP T&L - TRS
Jack Cunningham - English Teacher TRS
Alison Pugh - AP - Orion Ravensworth
Teachers ~ Teaching Support Staff
Discover how a simple piece of tech can transform your teaching. Whether you're demonstrating live annotation, showcasing pupil work, or breaking down complex tasks, you'll leave with practical strategies to enhance clarity, confidence, and collaboration in your lessons.
Perfect for teachers across all phases and subjects, this session will help you turn your visualiser into a vital tool for impactful, inclusive teaching.
Adaptive Teaching:
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Danielle Lee - Trust Lead SEND and Inclusion
Sam Anderson - SENCO, Primary
Teachers ~ Teaching Support Staff
The “One Size Doesn’t Fit All” session provides practical, modeled examples of adaptive teaching that show how small, intentional adjustments can help pupils with SEND feel included, stay engaged and make meaningful progress. By focussing on strategies before, during, and after lessons, the session demonstrates how adaptive teaching fosters a classroom environment where every pupil can belong and succeed.
Breakout Session 3 - 13:45-14:25
Maximising the Impact of Live Marking
Louise Cooper - DP at TRS
Teachers ~ Teaching Support Staff
Lavinia Gidei - Interim Principal Orion Scotts Park
Mark Ridley - Executive Principal Seconday
Join our CPD session on Live Marking to explore how real-time feedback can transform pupil progress and engagement. Learn practical strategies for implementing live marking in your classroom, boosting efficiency and deepening learning. Ideal for teachers across all phases looking to enhance formative assessment, respond to data and streamline the nature of feedback.
Breaking the Link between SocioEconomic Backgrounds and Outcomes
James Foreman - AP Inclusion - Orion Spires
Ruth Incoom - Principal Orion Blenheim All
The strong link between socio-economic disadvantage and lower academic outcomes is evident across all parts of the country and in much of the world. In this session, we will explore possible causes for this and consider practical ways in which we can help break this link for as many pupils in our schools as possible.
Breakout Session 3 - 13:45-14:25
The Power of Calm:
Creating a Classroom Culture that Supports Deescalation
Dominic Chidlow - AP Behaviour and Pastoral Growth
Orion Spires
Teachers ~ Teaching Support Staff
This session will aim to provide teachers and teaching support staff across all phases with practical strategies and routines for creating, and maintaining, a calm classroom environment. It will explore the close links between strong teaching and learning and effective behaviour management in order to provide a productive learning environment for all.
Maximising Participation:
Cold Call, Show Me, Everybody Writes… Which Works Best, and When?
Abby Blondel - Assistant Principal Orion Coopers
Teachers ~ Leaders Teaching Support Staff
Too often we lean on certain Means of Participation as default. The same waving hand; the same empty Cold Call. This session unpicks the evidence, and focuses on those seamless transitions between strategies, sharpening the way we select pupils. It’s about moving from simply ‘using’ participation techniques to mastering them.
Breakout Session 3 - 13:45-14:25
From Good to Great:
Growing Together in your Role
Jesse White - CFO and Sue Allis - HR Director
No one understands your challenges and opportunities better than those walking a similar path. This session is all about connecting with colleagues in similar roles to share insights, swap strategies, and spark ideas. Through meaningful conversations and peer-led reflection, discover how to elevate your impact, refine your approach, and take your role from good to great this year.
Associate Staff