Diocese and CAPH Spring Conference - Transforming Inclusion 

Weds 18th March 2026 

The collaborative Cornwall Spring term event brought together over 120 educational leaders from across the county, and  focused on what matters most in our schools: ensuring every child is seen, supported and given the chance to be their best self.

Key Themes and Focus Areas:

• Inclusion: A strong commitment to ensuring all children and young people—regardless of background or circumstance—have the support they need to thrive.
• Equity and Outcomes: Discussions centred on improving outcomes for all learners and closing gaps in attainment.
• Workforce Development: Addressing recruitment, retention, and professional learning across the education sector.
• Place-Based Leadership: Exploring how local contexts can inform and strengthen system-wide approaches to school improvement.
• Shared Vision: Aligning strategic priorities across the county to support coherence and collective impact.

Keynote Speaker: Mohamed Abdallah - Regional Director (South West) at The Reach Foundation, Founder of Drawbridge Collective and Trustee for Kernow Learning:

The Mattering Model: What if Belonging Is Only 50% of the Answer?

Mohamed Abdallah explored the vital role of belonging and mattering in creating thriving school cultures. Drawing a clear distinction between the two, he will showed how mattering goes beyond feeling valued to include the active contribution of adding value, a dual need that shapes the experiences of pupils, staff, and families alike. Mohamed will argued that developing a culture of mattering is not a soft option, but a core requirement for improving engagement, attendance, and wellbeing. He challenged the idea that this culture can emerge organically, instead making the case for intentional, embedded practices that ensure every member of the school community is seen, significant, and empowered to contribute.

Keynote Speaker: Nia Richards - Creative Leadership in Challenging Times

Drawing on insights from the Pretty Poverty Report and the wider Disciplined Enquiry work of the Attendance and Belonging Working Group, Nia explores what it means to lead creatively in times of constraint and change.

This keynote challenged leaders to think differently about engagement, belonging, and community connection — reframing adversity as a catalyst for innovation. Through practical examples and reflective insight, Nia invited school leaders to consider how creativity can drive both equity and resilience within their own contexts.

Keynote Speaker: Rita Yoe

Difference equips children with three formational habits that can transform everyday relationships. Pupils grow their understanding of the habits as they progress through primary school, with each key stage exploring specific themes and questions.

• Be Curious – Community - Listen to others’ stories and see the world through their eyes.
•  Be Present – Embrace - Encounter others with authenticity and confidence.
•  Reimagine – Power - Finding hope and opportunity in places where we long to see change.

Primary School Training sessions are here