Platform: Zoom (online) – conference

Audience:

• Leaders and managers
• Boarding staff
• HR
• EDI leaders
• Anyone with an interest and passion for inclusion

Course outline

The IELA Conference is an online event, it is free to IELA members. This year, the conference is focused on collaboration, learning and sharing best practice in EDI work in schools. This event brings together inclusion professionals to exchange ideas and strategies that foster inclusivity, equity, and positive change within our schools and communities.

Training topics will include:

• How to successfully engage stakeholders in EDI work
• Transparency and accountability in EDI
• Looking at EDI through humanity based values
• Harnessing data to support the EDI business case
• Cultivating a sense of belonging
• Harnessing student voice to create effective change
• Looking at SEN through a cultural lens
• How to measure success in inclusion work
• LGBT+ inclusion

Learning outcomes:

• Gain valuable and actionable insights into implementing effective EDI strategies within your school
• Learn how to identify and address systemic barriers to equity and inclusion
• Be part of a network of peers committed to advancing EDI work and fostering inclusive environments

Cost 

• IELA Member Rate: FOC
• Non-member Rate – £235

*If you would like to become a member and access discounted rates for IELA CPD and events, please click here.

Book now

Programme:

09:30 – 10:30

Inclusion: bringing staff, parents and governors on the journey

This session will explore the best way to ensure all stakeholders in the school community are involved in the school’s EDI vision and commitment.

• Chair:
  • Gaelle Sullivan, Director of Research, Inclusion and IELA

10:30 – 10:45

Break 

10:45 – 12:00

Cultivating a sense of belonging

Starting from the principle that EDI is in fact about humanity, our speaker will share ways to use the concept of the Human Library to permeate whole school culture.

• Speaker:
  • Lauren Kelley, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Coordinator, ACS Cobham

12:00 – 13:00

Lunch

13:00 – 14:00

Equipping teachers to meet the diverse SEN needs in their setting

With the number of students with SEND rising in schools, this session will focus on a holistic approach and how to build staff’s confidence in this area.

• Chair:
  • Gaelle Sullivan, Director of Research, Inclusion and IELA
• Speaker:
  • Fumi St Marthe, EDI Lead & Assistant Head, DLD College

14:00 – 14:15

Break

14:15 – 15:15

EDI, culture and collaboration

Our speakers will delve into how collaboration, community spirit and allyship lead to the best outcomes for staff and students.

• Chair:
  • Bethan Hudson, Executive Director Specialist Services and Director, BAISIS
• Panel:
  • Carolyn Dunn, Assistant head & SENCO, Abbey College Cambridge
  • Lucy Hart, EDI lead in Boarding, Abbey College Cambridge
  • David Savage, EDI lead, Abbey College Cambridge

15:15 – 15:30

Break

15:30 – 16:30

The inclusion journey

In this panel session, we will discuss the highs and lows of the school’s EDI journey, how to celebrate the wins and address challenges.

• Chair: 
  • Gaelle Sullivan, Director of Research, Inclusion and IELA
• Panel:
  • Elizabeth Cobb, Head of Boarding, Beau Soleil School
  • Andy Davidson, EDI Lead, Beau Soleil School

16:30

Conference close

Speakers:

Lauren Kelley, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Coordinator, ACS International Schools 

Lauren Kelley is the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Coordinator for ACS International Schools, a group of three schools in the UK. In her role, Lauren chairs ACS’ 60-person DEIB Council; leads a team of Campus Chairs and Network Leads and works closely with students and staff to ensure DEIB is centered in strategy and initiatives. Lauren is passionate about the intersections of wellbeing, self identity and DEIB, and as a result values the importance of including the voices of students, staff and families in order to measure progress and plan future efforts. Lauren holds an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University in The US. Prior to ACS, Lauren lived in Germany where she opened a bilingual nursery, as well as in the US where she taught the IBPYP in Title I public schools in metro-Detroit. Lauren lives in The UK with her husband and their two young children.

Liz Cobb, Director of Boarding, Collège Alpin Beau Soleil

Liz Cobb (she/her/hers) is from Collège Alpin Beau Soleil, a Nord Anglia school based in Switzerland. With over 300 students from 60 different nationalities, diversity is part of the school’s culture and a vital thread of the community. Liz is Director of Boarding and a qualified PE teacher with over 20 years of boarding experience in the UK and Switzerland. She has been at Beau Soleil for 7 years.

Andrew Davidson, University Counsellor and EDI Champion, Collège Alpin Beau Soleil

Andrew Davidson (he/him/his) is from Collège Alpin Beau Soleil, a Nord Anglia school based in Switzerland. With over 300 students from 60 different nationalities, diversity is part of the school’s culture and a vital thread of the community. Andrew has been a Deputy Housemaster, University Counsellor and EDI Champion since joining in 2022.

Andrew qualified as a science teacher over a decade ago before transitioning into international student support roles at higher education institutions, including University of Sydney and NYU London. In his role as EDI Champion, he advocates for student voice and fostering a safe, inclusive space for dialogue.

Fumi St Marthe, EDI Lead & Assistant head, DLD College

Carolyn Dunn, Assistant head & SENCO, Abbey College Cambridge

Lucy Hart, EDI Lead in Boarding, Abbey College Cambridge

David Savage, EDI Lead in Boarding, Abbey College Cambridge