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East Riding Headteachers conference focuses on strengthening inclusion

Wednesday, 1 July 2026

Senco kirsty woodhead meeting with students at the market weighton school

Headteachers, senior leaders and governors from East Riding’s primary and secondary schools joined with a united purpose to strengthen inclusion across schools.

Each year the Headteachers conference provides an opportunity for senior leaders to take time out to focus on a topic, to reflect and improve education for children.

This year’s theme was strengthening inclusion so that every child can achieve and thrive.

The keynote speech was delivered by Marie Gentles OBE, who has worked with schools and organisations across the country to transform thinking around behaviour, relationships and inclusion. Marie’s ‘Beyond Behaviour’ talk began by highlighting that behind every behaviour there is a story, behind every challenge there is a need, and behind every child there is a human being who needs to feel safe, seen, heard and connected.

Headteachers then looked at designing a local future together, SEND reform and learning from best practice and other approaches.

Merlin Joseph, Executive Director of Children, Families and Schools said: “The Headteachers conference is an opportunity to think together, challenge together and create inclusive schools where every child is seen, valued and able to thrive.

“There is something special about bringing so many leaders together in one room, united by the same purpose. We know demand is rising and needs are becoming more complex. Schools shape children’s belief in what is possible and what support they need to succeed.

”Councillor Victoria Aitken, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education said: “Across children’s services, one of our clearest priorities is inclusion. This priority is supported by the whole council and elected members, and by partners across the system – from schools to the voluntary and community sector to mental health and educational psychology teams.

“We are also placing a strong focus on the earliest years of a child’s life. Through Best Start in Life, Family Hubs and our wider early help work, we are investing in children and families from the very beginning. We want a shift from crisis intervention to early help.”

East Riding schools and partners committed to designing a future with four key elements:

  1. to continue building an inclusive and trauma-informed system rooted in partnership
  2. to intervene earlier and act smarter so support reaches children when it can have the greatest impact
  3. to hold firmly to our belief that every child, regardless of their starting point, deserves the very best chance to succeed
  4. to support and challenge one another to innovate and deliver in difficult circumstances.

Read East Riding’s Children and Families Partnership strategy: eryc.link/childrenfamiliespartnership or watch: https://youtu.be/upDJTUBIHMc 

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