On Thursday 18th September, we were delighted to welcome our Embark headteachers and extended family of membership schools to the first Headteachers’ Development Day of the 2025-26 academic year. Hosted at the inspiring Over the Wall Camp venue, the event provided the perfect setting for a day focused on collaboration, reflection, and strategic direction.
The day began with refreshments and a warm welcome, giving colleagues the opportunity to connect and share experiences. The morning sessions explored our strategic plan for 2025-26, outlining key priorities and areas of focus for the year ahead. Leaders reflected on how we can continue to work together to raise standards, strengthen collaboration, and ensure the best possible outcomes for every child across our trust.
A strong theme throughout the day was the importance of living our Embark core values – Family, Integrity, Teamwork and Success – in every decision we make. These values underpin our strategic plan and guide how we lead, support staff, and deliver education for the communities we serve.
Updates were also shared on upcoming awards, events, and exciting opportunities for collaboration this year. The collaborative “Over the Wall” session gave headteachers space to share ideas, challenges, and solutions — a powerful reminder of the strength we have as a family of schools.
Leadership development and IT strategy were explored in depth, equipping leaders with practical tools and strategies to support school improvement and efficient operations.
After a delicious lunch – a big thank you to Eat at Denbys for the fantastic catering – the afternoon focused on future-facing themes, including how artificial intelligence can enhance teaching, learning, and school operations.
One of the most valuable sessions of the day was “Me at My Best”, which focused on how Embark approaches appraisals. Our People and Culture Lead guided school leaders through the process, helping them to understand how to deliver meaningful, strengths-based conversations that align with our values and empower staff to thrive. This session reinforced our commitment to supporting wellbeing, professional growth, and a positive culture across the trust.
The day concluded with reflection and discussion, leaving everyone inspired, aligned, and ready to lead with confidence as we begin the new academic year.
💙 A Heartfelt Thank You
We would like to thank our entire central team, school leaders, and everyone across our Embark family for their collaboration, effort, and enthusiastic involvement in making the day such a success. Your dedication and commitment are what make our Trust a true family — and together we are shaping another exceptional year for our young people and communities.