Governance Conference 2024 – Fostering Collaboration

There was an excellent turnout at this year’s annual OHC&AT Governance Conference and we were delighted that so many Governors, Trustees and Members were able to join us. The theme for this year’s conference was Fostering Collaboration and it was a fantastic opportunity to bring everyone together and reinforce the benefits of being part of such a large organisation dedicated to improving the lives of young people and children with special educational needs.

Ray Leclercq, our new Chair of Orchard Hill College Academy Trust, spoke about the benefits of being part of a joint organisation and being able to draw on the expertise in the room across both the College, Academies and Trust Boards.

John Prior, Chief Executive Officer spoke about the OHC&AT’s purpose of working together to transform lives and its transformative power.

Our Student Safeguarding & Wellbeing Ambassador Programme highlighted the impact that students can make by being excellent role models and providing inspirational peer support.

There were also interactive presentations on the theme of Fostering Collaboration about how partnerships could enhance outcomes across OHC&AT.

In his closing remarks Peter Lauener, Chair of Orchard Hill College, highlighted the growth of the Trust over the last ten years with 14 academies and how the College itself had transformed from a small hospital-based provision to eight College Centres, and together, educate over 2000 children and young people.

Feedback from those attending was all positive with 100% of the returned evaluations saying they would recommend other governors to attend future governance conferences. The answers to what was the most useful aspect of the conference is represented in the graphic below.

Governance Conference Programme

Peter Lauener, Chair of Orchard Hill College – Welcome

Ray Leclercq, Chair of Orchard Hill College Academy Trust – Welcome

John Prior, Chief Executive Officer – OHC&AT – Our Journey Forward: Progress, Challenges and Next Steps

Jacqueline Van-West, Director of Safeguarding and Wellbeing – Safeguarding: Understanding and Fulfilling Your Responsibilities

Caroline Davies, Head of Governance – Effective Governance: Building Success Collaboratively

Kelly Philips, Principal, Orchard Hill College – Fostering Collaboration: Improving Outcomes through Partnership between Orchard Hill College and Orchard Hill College Academy Trust

Julia James, Executive Director Quality and Standards- Fostering Collaboration: Enhancing Outcomes Through School-School Support

Sarah Brooks, Vice Principal and Lyuba Kisel, Associate SLT – Fostering Collaboration: Enhancing Outcomes Through School-School Support – Arbour Vale School

Leigh Edser, Principal – Fostering Collaboration: Enhancing Outcomes Through School-School Support- Dysart School

Peter Lauener and Ray Leclercq – Closing remarks