Diocese and CAPH Spring Conference - Transforming Inclusion
Weds 18th March 2026 | Wadebridge Showground
The collaborative Cornwall Spring term event brings together educational leaders from across the county, and aims to focus 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.
Conference Highlights:
- Keynote Presentations from local and national leaders, sharing insight and challenge
- Panel Discussions on current issues facing Cornwall’s schools
- Collaborative Workshops designed to share best practice and foster innovation
- Networking Opportunities to build and deepen partnerships across sectors
The days agenda includes:
Keynote Speaker: Mohammed Abdullah - 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?
Keynote Speaker: Alysia Lara Ayonrinde - Difference
Alysia-Lara Ayonrinde is the Schools Project Lead for Difference. Her established career in education spans over 15 years, encompassing senior leadership roles across the UK, West Africa, and South America. Alysia-Lara brings unique, evidence-based perspectives that supportively challenge conventional norms to develop greater interfaith and intercultural understanding in schools, communities, and churches, so that all can flourish.
Keynote Speaker: Nia Richards - Creative Leadership in Challenging Times
Drawing on insights from the Pretty Poverty Report and the wider Diciplined Enquiry work of the Attendance and Belonging Working Group, Nia explores what it means to lead creatively in times of constraint and change.
Discussion Panel with:
- Eveleen Riordan: Service Director for Education and Children’s Community Health: 2026 / 7 Priorities in Cornwall.
- Dr Cat Scutt OBE: Independent Chair of Cornwall Education Partnership:
- Dr Jen Blunden OBE: CEO TPAT and Chair of the CEP Operational Board.
- Rachel Delourme: Head of Inclusion and SEND, Co Chair of Centers of Excellence.
- Dan Morrow: Trust Lead and CEO of CELT, Co Chair of Centers of Excellence
Topics for discussion
- The evolving role of system leadership in Cornwall
- How partnership working can strengthen outcomes for children and young people
- The importance of inclusion, wellbeing and community connection at the heart of flourishing education.
Afternoon Roundtable Workshops:
- Alysia Lara Ayonrinde: Difference
- Carly Brooker: Cognition and Learning: Working Memory, how memory works, strategies and impact.
- Nicky Hepworth: Parental Engagement Framework
- Tre & Pet: Dandelion Learning – Greater Depth in Writing
- Laura Clitheroe: CODE Maths Hub
- Vanessa Morley: Kernow English Hub
- Christiaan Stirling: Emotional Logic – Improve emotional intelligence in difficult situations
- Faye Heming: School Support Solutions: Adaptive Teaching
- Nia Richards Chartered College of Education: The Leadership PlayBook
- Victoria Sargeant - Wolferstans Solicitors – HR for Schools – Employment Update (Inclusion
Reaffirmed the power of connection between leaders, institutions, and communities as the foundation for long-term, sustainable improvement in education across the county and beyond.