Eleanor Bernades: Belonging Schools — lessons for leaders in developing schools everyone wants to be in

Eleanor will share key findings from the ‘Belonging Schools’ research, published in 2024, and will explore implications for how trusts can support all schools to become more inclusive. The research included case studies of secondary schools in challenging contexts across England which are achieving relatively good outcomes for both inclusion and attainment. It highlighted that there is no ‘one best way’ to achieve inclusion but shows how a sample of relatively more inclusive schools adopt an ‘inclusion for all’ approach founded on equity, relationships and belonging. Attendees will be encouraged to explore how their MAT and schools can best work together to ensure a shared approach to belonging and inclusion for all children.

About the speaker:

Eleanor is a researcher and consultant specialising in education leadership and management. Her career has spanned business and arts management, teaching and curriculum development, school and MAT leadership, and research and consultancy, most notably as Head of Engagement for The CFEY (The Centre for Education and Youth). She is currently the Strategic Lead for the APSEND National MAT CEOs Network, and is undertaking her PhD on the topic of ‘Executive Founder Succession in Multi Academy Trusts’. Alongside her work, she supports school and trust leaders as a coach and/or ‘critical friend’, especially through times of growth and transition.