Outstanding against the odds Conference:
Courageous heads, tough schools, holistic education
Get school improvement ideas from inspiring schools
When?
Tuesday 18th November 2025 (0930-1600)
Where?
Delivered online using zoom (save money and time and learn together as a team)
What?
Meet a selection of headteachers who will share their incredible stories, inspiring insights and practical advice with you.
If you aspire to continuous improvement, this is the conference for you.
Join our online conference to hear how headteachers beat the odds to deliver excellence for their children
Sponsored by:
Outdoor play and learning
Amazing play, every day, for every child
OPAL is an award-winning, mentor supported school improvement programme that addresses all the areas that schools must plan for if they want to strategically and sustainably improve the quality of their play opportunities. OPAL is the only programme of its kind that has been independently proven to sustainably improve the quality of play in British primary schools.
Meet heads who are getting above average results, in below average circumstances
Be inspired by five headteachers, who have been carefully selected because their school became outstanding despite many challenges and are not ‘hero’ heads
Practical tips from great schools
We looked at over 100 schools, to bring you 5 that have achieved excellence in tough circumstances. We've met the heads, visited their schools and there is a lot to learn from them.
Learn with your SLT
Spend the day discussing great leadership ideas with your SLT so you’re all on the same page and buzzing with great ideas for your school.
Our annual conference is in it's 15th year.
Attendees consistently rate it a 9/10 event 🙂
Included in your ticket
Access for your entire SLT
The biggest, easiest impact comes when you learn as a team, so we’ve built reflection time for you into the agenda
Slides from each talk
Accessed through our online portal
Recordings of the talks
So you can use them in school with your wider team
1. Book onto ‘Outstanding against the odds: courageous heads, tough schools, holistic education'
2. Get inspiration and practical ideas
3. Take the best ideas back into your school
2025 speakers
Beth Dyer, Headteacher, Nine Acres Primary School, Newport, Isle of Wight, Outstanding in July 2024
From challenge to triumph: How one school made history as the first outstanding school in their area in over a decade
Beth Dyer is the Headteacher of Nine Acres Primary School in Newport, Isle of Wight—a school serving many families of white British heritage, where the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals and those needing SEN support is higher than average. Despite these challenges, in July 2024, Nine Acres became the first school on the Isle of Wight in over a decade to achieve Outstanding in all categories.
For more than ten years, Beth has led Nine Acres through a remarkable journey of improvement. From making tough staffing decisions to driving significant school development, she has transformed the school into a place of excellence.
Beth and her team have reshaped the way education is viewed at Nine Acres. Instead of focusing on “disadvantage,” they champion a culture of Excellence for All, using language and expectations to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. By prioritizing what truly matters for students’ futures, Beth has also reduced unnecessary workload for staff and introduced practical strategies that drive real improvement. She has mastered the art of turning obstacles into opportunities—even using inspections as a tool for growth rather than a hurdle to overcome.
Beth will share:
- How to prioritize what matters—focusing on teaching, learning, and strategic decisions that have the greatest impact.
- Ways to do more with less—reducing workload while embracing high-impact approaches like “corridor coaching” and “subject leader speed dating” to develop the team.
- The power of a clear vision—how a strong, unwavering vision helped navigate uncertainty and drive progress.
- Building a resilient school community—creating a high-performance culture of resilience, ambition, and continuous improvement.
Nine Acres’ success proves that with the right leadership, vision, and strategy, schools can achieve extraordinary outcomes—no matter the odds. Don’t miss this inspiring session with Beth.
David Sammels, Mayflower Academy, achieved their third outstanding in December 2023
Becoming more than a school
Mayflower Academy is a large school, serving a mainly white British population with a high level of pupil premium, SEND pupils and mobility through Key Stages 1 and 2.
We’ve all heard reports of outstanding schools losing their outstanding judgement but not Mayflower Academy: they achieved outstanding in September 2016 and were judged outstanding again in December 2019 and again in December 2023, three times in less than 10 years.
The school has well above average progress in reading, writing and maths, and the number of pupils reaching expected (81%) and higher standards (9%) of attainment is higher than the average.
How does a school keep delivering excellence, over time, despite national challenges, and local challenging circumstances?
Dave will be sharing insights into how to:
- Hire ‘galacticos’ to build the team of your dreams
- Create a manifesto for being agile
- Collaborate courageously
- Empower others (making mess makes more meaning)
- Go beyond the framework
Dawn Titus, St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, achieved second outstanding in January 2024
From the battlefield to a garden: Creating an outstanding school, despite the barriers
St Joseph’s Roman Catholic School is a two-form entry primary school with a majority of pupils from ethnic backgrounds. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is higher than average, as is the proportion of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The school is also situated in an area affected by county lines operations.
In September 2004, Dawn joined St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School as Deputy Headteacher and took on the position of Headteacher in 2008. She has played an instrumental role in moving the school from a ‘Good’ rating in 2008 to ‘Outstanding’ in 2013, and again under the new Ofsted framework in 2024. Dawn’s pupils excel in their learning and are exceptionally well-prepared for the next stage of their education.
From the moment Dawn walked through the doors of the school in 2004, she felt a “fire in her belly.” Since then, Dawn has been unwavering in her mission to define a culture that provides the best academic and personal development for both pupils and staff. St Joseph’s is in the top 2% of schools nationally and ranks 21st in The Times and Sunday Times’ best state primary schools list for 2024.
Dawn will be sharing:
- The schools approach which leads to high achievement for all their children including those with who speak English as an additional language, special educational needs and disadvantaged.
- How the school navigates and supports a community inhabited by gangs and county lines.
- How the team manages parent relationships within a challenging community.
- How behaviour is achieved, despite the contextual challenges.
Lucy Mastrocola, Coombe Hill Junior School, achieved outstanding, Oct 2023
Creating exceptional personal development and enabling children to lead the school
Coombe Hill Junior School is a 3-form entry Junior School, where over half the pupils speak English as an additional language. They have a higher than average number of pupils requiring SEN support and who have an SEN Education, Health and Care Plan.
Lucy has taken her experience of 4 very different schools, in which she lived and breathed what outstanding schools do, and applied it to her headship at Coombe Hill.
This meant, when she joined Coombe Hill in September 2022, she could see what the school needed for it to remain outstanding.
The school had been judged as outstanding in 2010, and many of the staff hadn’t ever experienced an inspection. Lucy set about a period of rapid improvement, building on the good practice she found to make it outstanding so that when Ofsted came in October 2023 they found the school to be outstanding.
The school’s personal development is exemplary, in fact the children think they are in charge of the school. From Class Councils and Parliament to Mental Health Ambassadors and Digital Leaders and from the Shakespeare project to a wide range of opportunities which allow children to develop their talents and interests. It’s clear that children grow and excel in all aspects of their learning.
Lucy will be sharing:
- The school’s journey to outstanding
- How they enable children to take the lead in school life
- They’re exemplary personal development and wider curriculum
Willow Brook Primary School , led by Executive Head, Justin Creasey, & Head of School, Lucie Dawn, achieved outstanding in 2017 and again in 2023
Unlocking school magic: Strategies for success with limited resources
Willow Brook Primary School, led by Executive Head, Justin Creasey & Head of School, Lucie Dawn in Leyton, East London stands as a beacon of excellence in education despite facing common challenges such as resource constraints.
Situated in Leyton, London, Willow Brook Primary School caters to a diverse student body, including a significant number of pupils with ECHPs, eligibility for free school meals, and English as an additional language.
Remarkably, the school has achieved an outstanding rating twice, first in 2017 and most recently in September 2023. Their exceptional results, with 90% reaching or exceeding expected standards in reading writing and maths and displaying above-average progress, underscore their commitment to a rich and comprehensive curriculum. This means that for achievement in reading, writing and maths Willow Brook Primary School is in the top 2 per cent of primary schools in the country.
So, what’s their secret?
Central to their success is the deeply ingrained culture fostered within the school and throughout the Griffin Schools Trust. Culture, often dismissed as a mere buzzword, takes on tangible significance at Willow Brook, permeating every aspect of their operations and contributing fundamentally to their students’ achievements.
Recruitment and retention, perennial concerns for educational institutions, emerge as a particular strength for Willow Brook. Justin and Lucie, in their upcoming presentation, will delve into:
- Defining the essence of culture within their institution and how it fuels sustained high performance, even amid leadership transitions.
- Illustrating how their cultural framework facilitates the identification and nurturing of exceptional leaders, regardless of their background or initial role within the school. Lucie’s own journey from an LSA underscores this principle.
- Sharing valuable insights gained from hosting visitors eager to learn from Willow Brook’s success, while also highlighting the challenges of ensuring genuine learning amidst admiration.
Through their experience and innovative approaches, Justin and Lucie offer valuable lessons for educators striving to make magic happen within their schools, regardless of resource limitations.
Rupinder Ahluwalia, Headteacher, Yeading Infant and Nursery School in Middlesex, Outstanding in December 2024
Magic in the everyday: Balancing academic success with joyful growth
Rupinder Ahluwalia, Headteacher of Yeading Infant and Nursery School in Hayes, Middlesex, leads with heart, purpose, and a deep commitment to developing the whole child. Yeading serves a richly diverse community, with a high proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language and a greater-than-average number eligible for free school meals. Despite these challenges, the school has maintained a track record of excellence—consistently rated ‘Good’ between 2005 and 2018, and recognised as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in both March 2019 and December 2024.
What sets Yeading apart is its unwavering belief that academic success and joyful, creative growth are not mutually exclusive. Under Rupinder’s leadership, high standards are matched by vibrant learning experiences. The curriculum goes beyond the classroom: children care for animals in a mini zoo, learn life skills in a custom-built cooking kitchen, and run the student-led YINS Café. Forest School and outdoor learning, led by trained staff, are central to school life—offering children meaningful, real-world contexts to explore, discover, and thrive.
In this dynamic environment, parental engagement isn’t just welcomed—it’s celebrated. Whether through popular workshops or weekly coffee mornings that regularly run out of chairs, Yeading builds strong, trusting relationships with families. These connections foster shared aspirations and genuine community partnership.
One of the school’s standout strengths is early writing. In Reception, children flourish in a nurturing yet high-expectation environment—producing impressive writing that reflects both creativity and confidence. Visitors are often struck not by rigid discipline, but by the school’s calm, purposeful atmosphere and its clearly communicated expectations.
In her talk, Rupinder will share:
- Developing the Whole Child
How balancing academic rigour with creativity and joy allows every child to flourish. - Enriching Curriculum Experiences
How Forest School, the mini zoo, cooking kitchen, and the YINS Café support real-life learning, language development, and confidence. - Parental Engagement in a Diverse Community
How deep relationships with families build trust, boost aspirations, and lead to shared success. - High-Quality Early Writing
How a supportive, aspirational environment leads to outstanding outcomes from the very start.
For Rupinder, education is about more than results—it’s about creating joyful, lasting experiences that help every child discover who they are and what they can become.
Phil Palmer, Executive Headteacher, The Oaks Primary School in Ipswich, Outstanding October 2024
The Quiet Power of Relentless Improvement
The Oaks Primary School has a higher than average proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals, those who speak English as an additional language and pupils needing SEN support.
Since becoming Headteacher in 2013, Phil has led The Oaks through a powerful journey of transformation, in the face of deep-rooted challenges. Formed from two struggling schools, The Oaks narrowly avoided special measures in 2009, was rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in 2012, achieved ‘Outstanding’ in October 2018, and successfully sustained its ‘Outstanding’ judgement in the most recent inspection in October 2024.
The Oaks was a founder member of an academy trust in 2015, which opened up new opportunities for growth and improvement. Phil’s clear vision — “striving for excellence” — now drives everything. The introduction of the school’s Language of Learning (independence, resilience, self-belief, reflectiveness, and articulacy) has helped shift pupils from passive recipients to active learners, which has been particularly vital in a community facing high levels of disadvantage, including high levels of crime and county lines.
The Oaks staff grow professionally in a culture of high support and high challenge. Many have stayed long-term because they are so aligned to its shared purpose. Phil does not deny The Oaks is a demanding place to work, but for those who believe in the vision, it’s a place to thrive.
Phil will share:
- How the School has moved from Survival to Striving
- How the School implements a ‘Language of Learning’ to Shape Confident, and Articulate Pupils
- How the School has turned Vision into a daily Practice: Embedding ‘Striving for Excellence’
- How the School anchors itself to the needs of families and the community
Sonia Gill, Founder & Director of Heads Up
The hidden factor behind outstanding schools (that no-one talks about)
You’re the sum of the five schools you spend the most time around.
In this eye-opening and energising session, we’ll explore the quiet but powerful influence your professional circle has on your school’s culture, ambition and direction.
We’ll explore:
- Are the schools around you stretching your thinking — or keeping you stuck? And what can you do about it?
- How the right peer group can lift your leadership, your confidence — and your school.
- The influence you have on others — and how to make it count.
- Whether you’re quietly ambitious or feeling “good but stuck,” this session will help you reimagine what’s possible — and take one bold step closer to it.
Rebecca Emeny, Headteacher, Churchfield Junior School, Redbridge, Outstanding March 2025
Beyond the Metrics: The Heart Behind a School’s Transformation into a Beacon of Excellence
Churchfield Junior School has a higher than average proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals and pupils with English as a second language.
Rebecca Emeny became Deputy Head Teacher in 2012 and then Head Teacher at Churchfields Junior in 2017 with a clear vision, not just to maintain a good school, but to transform it into something exceptional. Her journey has been one of relentless drive and purpose, grounded in the belief that every child deserves the highest expectations, especially the most disadvantaged. Rebecca has led Churchfields Junior on a remarkable path of improvement, taking the school from good to truly great.
Under her leadership, Churchfields Junior has become a school where disadvantaged pupils are not just catching up—they are outperforming their more advantaged peers across the country. In the latest MTC, pupils achieved an astonishing average score of 24.6 out of 25.
At the heart of this success? A culture where expert teaching meets a rich, ambitious curriculum. Every child learns a musical instrument. Reading is a non-negotiable priority. And teachers don’t just teach—they thrive, thanks to rigorous, personalised professional development.
Rebecca’s honest reflections on how to navigate shifting demographics and maintaining excellence through clear, firm policies are making the difference. It’s about what’s possible when you refuse to settle for less.
Rebecca will reveal:
- How she has raised the bar for disadvantaged pupils, who are now out performing their peers.
- Sharing the school’s unique, high-impact practices, such as every child learning a musical instrument and specialist teaching.
- How to craft and stand firm on policy in a climate of competing demands and parental expectations.
- How she has designed and implemented a unique reading program
This is more than school improvement. This is a blueprint for transformation.
2025 Conference Schedule
| 09:30 – 09:40 | Welcome |
| 09:40 – 10:25 | From challenge to triumph – Beth Dyer |
| 10:25 – 10:40 | Reflection & Break |
| 10:40 – 11:00 | OPAL |
| 11:00 – 11:15 | Reflection & Break |
| 11:15 – 12:00 | Magic in the everyday – Rupinder Ahluwalia |
| 12:00 – 12:40 | Reflection & Lunch Break |
| 12:40 – 13:25 | Quiet Power – Phil Palmer |
| 13:25 – 13:35 | Reflection & Break |
| 13:35 – 14:15 | The Hidden Factor – Sonia Gill |
| 14:15 – 14:20 | How Heads Up supports schools |
| 14:20 – 14:30 | Reflection & Break |
| 14:30 – 15:15 | Beyond the metrics – Rebecca Emeny |
| 15:15 – 15:25 | Reflection & Break |
| 15:25 – 15:55 | Ideas Exchange |
| 15:55 – 16:00 | Reflection & Close |
FAQs
Yes, and you’ll be given access via our online portal.
Yes, they’ll be available for you in our online portal.
One ticket gives access to you and all of your SLT.
I understand, a lot of online training sucks! But not ours. How do we know? We’re consistently rated 9/10 by headteachers and school leaders like you. We also ask what people prefer and th e majority opt for online, as this way you don’t have to pay for trains and you can attend with your SLT. You save time and money.
The conference will be take place online using zoom. We’ll email the joining instructions to you a couple of weeks before the event and send reminders.
If you have any questions please contact [email protected]
Whilst anyone is welcome, the conference is primarily focussed on primary schools, so we don’t recommend the conference to secondary schools.
What’s my investment?
£360+VAT
