Beyond attendance: understanding engagement through relationships, belonging and participation — Melissa Farnham

The emerging policy landscape is asking schools to evidence more than academic outcomes. This session will explore how inclusion hubs can help schools understand what sits beneath attendance, behaviour and attainment. Drawing on learner engagement profiles, Melissa Farnham will consider how relationships, belonging and participation can be made visible as part of a broader understanding of success. Using practice from inclusion settings and current policy developments, delegates will leave with practical approaches for using engagement evidence to strengthen inclusion, support whole-school improvement and empower learners to progress.

About the speaker

Melissa Farnham is Chief Executive of ASDAN and has more than 25 years’ experience across the UK education landscape. Prior to joining ASDAN, she held leadership roles within education and charitable providers, alongside governance and advisory roles across local authorities and the non-maintained and independent sector. Melissa has worked with NGOs, devolved funding commissioners, government leaders and policy groups, and has contributed to policy consultations, governmental workshops, Green Paper development and advisory groups. Her experience spans inclusion, reasonable adjustments, access to assessment, organisational change and partnership development. She is passionate about shaping inclusive education systems that engage learners, elevate aspirations and empower young people to open doors to their futures.