Headteachers and senior executives from across the region gathered on Friday 18 May for the 'West Midlands School Leaders Annual Conference: The School Led System – Getting Down to Business' #WMschoolled.

The event, organised by the West Midlands region of the Teaching Schools Council (TSC) attracts the cream of senior educational leaders and decision makers, all keen to tackle the burning issues surrounding the school leadership system.

The event, which took place at the Chateau Impney Hotel & Exhibition Centre in Worcestershire, was once again hosted by BBC Midlands Today presenter Mary Rhodes and featured many leading keynote speakers from the world of education including Richard Gill, chief executive of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership and TSC Member for the West Midlands; Trust Board member Professor Mick Waters and former ATLP CEO, Sir Chris Stone; Geoff Barton, General Secretary for the Association of Schools & College Leaders (ASCL); Professor Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive, Chartered College of Teaching and Learning; Christine Quinn, Regional Schools Commissioner for the West Midlands; and James McNeillie, Senior HMI Inspector and Senior Operational Lead, West Midlands, Ofsted.

The OD&V team were involved in all aspects of the event, as in previous years, liaising with the multiple partners to produce another incredibly successful conference.  The key areas we focused on were the production of content, management of operations and logistics, the development of the programme, engagement with school leaders, communications management of exhibitors, sponsors and suppliers whilst bringing the whole event together with the support of AV partner Mercian Events.

This year’s programme included facilitated presentations and discussions around appropriate topics that allowed for the most important messages to be shared with the 150+ audience. Plenty of time was allowed for networking and table talks, and energising musical interludes were provided by Worcestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra.