Yesterday saw a community of educators come together for the third time in the capital to explore all things leadership development and growing your career in the education sector. 

An event in the capital is now becoming an annual staple within the Step Up calendar with people travelling from across inner and outer London, the East of England, South East and South West England as well as the Midlands. It was great to have such a diverse group of people altogether to connect, empower and impact.

The morning started with our friends from Opogo Education, who were kindly hosting us in their stunning Shoreditch offices. Hannah (MD at Opogo) and Conor (Sales & Commercial Director) came to our last London event which was the start of our partnership together. Whilst our hosts and volunteers set up the space we were soon joined by our speakers, presenters, coaches and attendees. It was great to see so many familiar faces, new ones and also people who had been encouraged to come along with others.

The day started as it always does with our Step Up welcome, Vina (Sondh) and I shared all things to do with our 2.5 year journey whilst Hannah and Conor shared with our attendees more about Opogo and what they do.

We then got straight into sessions. Our group split into two and each attended had the opportunity to listen to four great workshops from our presenters:

• Domini Choudhury on inclusive leadership.
• Dave Marsh on leadership behaviours.
• Mubina Hussein on the life of an assistant headteacher.
• Ziggy Moore on rethinking employability in education.

Each session sparked such insightful and empowering conversations where attendees sought to know more so they could take what they have learnt into their own settings.

A new element of our event that we trialled were the launch of our coaching and feedback circles. Having attended many education events and all of our Step Up events it is so easy to make lots of notes and get lots of ideas but have cognitive overload with everything you want to try and do. Therefore, by putting these circles at the end of the day allowed for everyone to process their own thinking and come up with some key granular action steps that they can take into their setting for Monday morning.

The last part of the day where we gathered altogether was to listen to the phenomenal Yamina Bibi who shared her own leadership story in her authentic way encouraging vulnerability and determination in all those attending.

As we prepared to say our final goodbyes we closed the event by gaining feedback to plan our next steps; before some of us moved onto Spitalfields Market to continue the conversations amongst great connections and great food. 

I cannot thank those enough who were involved with yesterday’s event. It filled my own cup and I feel very fired up as we start the next week of the term. Thanks to everyone who makes our community so special.