Hackney Headteachers’ Conference 2025
Beating the odds: Belonging, leadership, and change
21 March 2025, 8.30-3.30, Sadler’s Wells East
Overview
This conference is a unique opportunity to explore the power of belonging, leadership, and change, with a special focus on the inspiring stories of the Hackney community. Throughout the day, we will delve into impactful discussions, hear from renowned speakers in the field, and engage in powerful storytelling through captivating reels.
But “Beating the Odds” is more than just a series of talks. It’s a platform for building meaningful connections and fostering a stronger community.
Key highlights:
- Hackney stories: We will prioritise local narratives, showcasing the resilience, innovation, and leadership within the Hackney community
- Powerful networking: Dedicated “Connection Time” sessions will allow you to connect with fellow attendees, share experiences, and build lasting relationships
- Community building: Engage in interactive workshops and networking activities designed to foster a sense of belonging and collaboration
Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of overcoming adversity, celebrate the power of human connection, and inspire a brighter future for Hackney and beyond.
Programme
More details will be available shortly
Speakers
Laura McInerney
Laura McInerney is an education journalist, former secondary teacher, and co-founder of Teacher Tapp, the daily survey app uncovering an accurate picture of teachers’ lives.
She started her career teaching in London comprehensives before being taken to court by Michael Gove for asking a difficult question about free schools. (She eventually won).
Following this, Laura became a journalist, editing Schools Week and writing a column for the Guardian, before starting Teaching Tapp.
She is regularly heard on BBC radio shows, and has authored several books including Leading Academy Trusts with Sir David Carter.
Talk: Education Trends 2025: Using the views of over 10,500 teachers Laura will outline the main trends in schools at present and what this means for school leaders now, and in the future.
Loic Menzes
Loic Menzes’ current research focuses on how decisions about education policy are made; as well as teacher recruitment, training and development; and accountability. He has a particular interest in educational equity. Loic is the Chief Research Officer for the Centre for Education Systems – a new research institute conducting comparative reviews of fourteen education systems around the world. He began his career as a youth-worker before becoming a teacher, and has also been a university tutor for a number of initial teacher education programmes.
After leaving teaching, Loic moved into research and policy, spending twelve years as Chief Executive of the think tank, the Centre for Education and Youth. Loic is now a Senior Research Associate at Jesus College in Cambridge, as well as a Visiting Fellow at Sheffield Institute of Education.
His first book, “Young People on the Margins: Priorities for action in education and youth” is published by Routledge.
Laura Tait
Laura Tait is Tsimshian from Prince Rupert and her mother is from the village of Lax Kw’Alaams. She was born into the Eagle Clan. She is currently an Assistant Superintendent in the Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools. Laura holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Vancouver Island University, a B.Ed. from Malaspina University-College and a B.A. from the University of Victoria. She is involved in a number of district and provincial educational initiatives in Instruction, Assessment and Aboriginal Education and she is passionate about educational reform, especially as it pertains building inclusion for all.
Two-part video reel: Finding my place: A story of injustice and resilience & leading change: JEDI in action
Raymond Antrobus
Raymond Antrobus MBE FRSL is a London-born poet (English mother, Jamaican father), who authored Shapes & Disfigurements, To Sweeten Bitter, The Perseverance (Rathbone Folio Prize), All The Names Given, and Signs, Music. His work appears in The New Yorker, The Guardian, and elsewhere. Awards include the Ted Hughes Award, Lucille Clifton Legacy Award, and Somerset Maugham Award. His poems are on the UK GCSE syllabus.
A Cave Canem, Civitella Ranieri, and Royal Society of Literature fellow, he holds an MA in Spoken Word education. Co-founder of Chill Pill and Keats House Poets Forum, he’s an ambassador for The Poetry School and Arts Emergency. His children’s book Can Bears Ski? won an Ezra Jack Keats honor. He hosted the BBC Radio 4 documentary “Inventions In Sounds” (award winner). He’s performed at festivals and universities and won poetry slams.
How to book
Book
Book your place through our online booking system.