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Abingdon Learning Trust Staff Conference 

7th July 2025

After months of organisation, the Abingdon Learning Trust Staff Conference on 7 July saw nearly 300 staff attending a day of networking, keynote speakers and a wide range of optional-choice seminar sessions.

The day aimed to enhance a whole Trust ethos; have professional development at the centre for all staff in their work; provide opportunities to learn from one another and strengthen connections across schools and teams.

With a keynote speaker focussing on one of the strategic themes for the Trust – Leadership, we were delighted to welcome Neil Jurd, founder of Leader-Connect, who spoke at our staff conference.

For a preview of Neil's work please look at this video: Leadership Basics

And in the spirit of the day, those attending the session were asked if they might like to try this leadership style assessment in advance. Neil referred to this model in one of his 30-minute workshop sessions.  

Merrill-Reid Model: Leader Connect 

Our seminar programme was extensive with around fifty different seminars on offer, and showcased the expertise that we have in the Trust with seminars ranging from Communication and Team Work, to Supporting Early Career Teachers, to Teaching Shakespeare, to the Psychology of Resilience/Motivation, and Advice from a KS2 English Moderator.

The Trust’s Director of Education lead attendees through a new appraisal framework, following removal of the link between pay and performance for teachers, so that all support and teaching staff have aligned arrangements.

Youth Council Project

The YCP is a collaboration between Abingdon and Witney College, and Abingdon Learning Trust schools.

Please read the latest version of the YCP newsletter.