The Education Exchange West Midlands (TEEWM) Launch, 14 – 15 November 2024
The second Education Exchange in the country was formally launched by the original Exchange founder, Paul Tarn, CEO of Delta Academies Trust at The Stratford Manor Hotel in November 2024. The event was attended by colleagues all committed to develop a culture of professional friendship and generosity for the benefit of all children and young people in our region, this included trust and school leaders from across the West Midlands areas, representatives from our West Midlands DfE Regions Group and local authorities and Education Exchange colleagues from the Yorkshire and Humber region.
Professional partners present had the Education Exchange framed by Paul Tarn and Andy Barnett, Deputy CEO, Delta Academies Trust, and Vince Green, CEO of Summit Learning Trust, prior to hearing from Andrew Warren, Regional Director and Dawn Dandy, Deputy Regional Director about how TEEWM will complement and support the work of the DfE’s RISE (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence) teams being established in 2025. Launch attendees heard about the significant impact that the work of the Education Exchange had made to provision, care and life chances for children in the North of England, notably at The Brooksbank School in Calderdale and in a powerful evening session, Milton School in Rotherham, delivered by Dr Simon Witham, CEO of Venn Academy Trust. We were fortunate to hear from Kelly Clarke and Helen Jackson from Hanson Academy in Bradford, and learn from their incredible improvement journey that has resulted in, among other metrics, seeing them have the most improved attendance in England.
In the altruistic spirit of the Education Exchange, several West Midlands trusts freely shared expertise, resources, and offers of support for their peers. These included Jo Higgins, CEO of Dudley Academies Trust around Digital Technologies: The Innovation Exchange at Millennium Point, Pete Weir, CEO of Washwood Heath MAT around their work developing Excellence in Oracy, Steve Taylor, CEO of Robin Hood MAT around Integrating AI Systems and Edward Vitalis (CEO), Phillipa Harris (Deputy CEO), Chris Bennett (Director of Alternative Provision) and Phil Sutton (Headteacher, Crestwood School) from Invictus Education Trust around Developing Inclusive Provision.
Following this launch event, many Education Exchange WM projects have commenced and follow-up visits have been programmed to West Midlands providers, Hanson Academy and Delta Academies Trust. Many more will follow now that TEEWM is now operational.
“What an awesome and memorable day it was with leaders who care about only two things: 1) children 2) altruism. It was an honour to be in presence of so many talented leaders.”
Steve Taylor, CEO of Robin Hood Multi Academy Trust
The Education Exchange fosters friendship, mutual support, and a platform for sharing what works for the benefit of children. As one attendee shared, “Conferences are often useful, but occasionally we get to take part in something that feels consequential. The last two days at the launch of The Education Exchange West Midlands have felt just that.”