Education leaders unite to strengthen partnership working across Swindon

Hosted by Swindon Borough Council, the Education Summit brought together headteachers, academy trusts and education leaders to strengthen collaboration at a time of national education reform.

Tuesday’s (23 June) summit set out a shared ambition of creating “one system, one purpose” with the aim of raising aspirations and realising ambitions for every child in Swindon.

The event included contributions from the Council’s Director of Education, Kashif Nawaz, and Kirston Nelson, Corporate Director for Prevention and Communities, alongside input from the Department for Education on the national policy direction.

Sessions throughout the day focused on the challenges and opportunities facing the local education system, including attendance, inclusion and SEND pressures, as well as showcasing the strong examples of partnership working already taking place across Swindon schools.

Leaders also explored how earlier intervention and closer working between education, Children’s Services and community partners can provide better support for children and families, helping to address issues before they escalate.

A key milestone of the summit was the introduction of the proposed Swindon Education Partnership, with school leaders taking part in discussions to shape how it will operate in practice, including identifying shared priorities and next steps.

Councillor Kate Tomlinson, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: “It was a privilege to address the Swindon Education Summit on Tuesday, where we welcomed senior school leadership teams from across Swindon.

“Against a backdrop of national reforms, it was a good opportunity to draw a line in the sand, and offer some real, consistent opportunities going forward to come together and work towards the best possible outcomes for Swindon’s children.

“There were a lot of productive discussions, including around delivering effective Alternative Provision within mainstream, and also the importance of collaborative working with Children’s Services, Education and Public Health to deliver early intervention and support.”

The Council will now work with schools and partners to take forward the priorities identified at the summit and develop the Swindon Education Partnership, ensuring schools are supported to continue improving outcomes for children and young people across the Borough.