Saturday 10th June 2023 saw the launch of the Step Up Network. The day consisted of a series of 10-minute talks and presentations on an area of leadership that resonated with the speaker which they wished to share.

We started off the day with executive headteacher and soon-to-be director of education, Mark Pritchard speaking about the power of coaching. As generous as Mark is, he even offered a discount to people attending to participate in one of his group coaching programmes.

After this, Meera Chudasama shared her thoughts and learning on evidence based approaches to leadership development. Combining her love of research with professional development.

Johnoi Josephs was next up. He narrated his leadership journey and also publicly shared his promotion to Associate Assistant Principal in September.

After Johnoi, was Tracy Goodyear, a fellow Midlander presenting on leadership development. Narrating her journey and experiences as well as sharing her tips.

This was followed by the phenomenal Albert Adeyemi, Johnoi’s fellow co-founder of Black Men Teach. Albert spoke about the importance of wellbeing in leadership which he concluded with a very heartfelt and awe-inspiring spoken word on belonging.

Then came Jaycee Ward who presented on the topic of imposter syndrome. Something that I think most of the audience had experienced and resonated with.

Before our comfort break, Mubina Ahmed presented on leading through her minority lens. Mubina spoke about equity and what true equity in teaching, education and leadership truly is.

First up after our break was Nicola Mooney who spoke about non-linear career paths. Debunking the myth of that continual upward trajectory. Something many found useful.

After Nicola was newly appointed primary deputy head, James Johnson, who passionately narrated his learning of leadership being internally promoted within a setting, being pushed out of his comfort zone and leading on areas he didn’t think he would.

Then came Parm Plummer, who introduced the audience to WomenEd (although we think most of us had heard of this fantastic network, seeing how many of the WomenEd community made up our speakers and audience). Parm then presented through us all disrupting the status quo for women in leadership, including male allies.

Presenting from a corridor at Northern Rocks was Bennie Kara. Bennie shared her journey and experience of curriculum leadership from teacher right through to senior leader i/c curriculum. We are so grateful for Bennie presenting considering she was at the other conference.

We then had the wonderful Stephanie Shaldas who presented on leadership in colour. Stephanie spoke about the trolls who attacked her on social media, when hosting a royal visit as acting co-headteacher of her previous school. For allies, Stephanie’s talk particularly important to empathise, listen to and try to understand some of the maltreatment she had received and how she led diversly to come back from this.

Unfortunately, Helen Witty was taken ill, but she still found the strength to record a presentation on neurodivergent leadership. Helen spoke about how she leads on SEND, whilst living and leading neurodivergently.

And last, but by no means least was Gary Pykitt, a former lecturer of mine who presenting on leading in initial teacher education. This was particularly useful for someone like me who is interested in teacher development.

At the end of the event we shared the events and network activity we have planned for the forthcoming academic year.

The speakers were phenomenal. The engagement we had on social media was brilliant. The support and feedback we’ve received has been wonderful to read.

We are so proud of the launch of this network. We must thank Ben and Elaine for being my co-host, Christine and Nikki for managing the social media; and then our other network leaders for championing the network also.

The network committee is looking forward to meeting in-person this Saturday to plan this forthcoming year.