17th National Pupil Premium Conference: Birmingham

Ideas, advice and case studies for how schools can overcome barriers and ensure successful outcomes for disadvantaged children and young people
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How can we diminish the impact of poverty for our most disadvantaged children and young people?

What has been shown to be effective? What does the research evidence tell us about Pupil Premium delivery? What is working on the ground in schools across the country? And how can these innovations, interventions and approaches be adapted and adopted successfully by your school?

The annual SecEd and Headteacher Update Pupil Premium Conference: Ensuring Successful Outcomes will once again offer practical answers to these questions and more.

Taking place on Friday, March 28, 2025, in central Birmingham, this will be the 17th iteration of this flagship event, with places expected to be in high demand once again.

Our expert speakers, many of whom are working in schools day-in, day-out, facing the same challenges as you when it comes to Pupil Premium delivery, will offer advice, case studies and tips for supporting the education, development, and wellbeing of our most disadvantaged children and young people.

The event will showcase the work of primary and secondary schools, including Pupil Premium leadership, delivery and evaluation.

We will focus on tried and tested techniques and lessons learned, while also hearing from experts in a range of fields ranging from SEND and mental health, to teaching and learning, to safeguarding, and many more.

The event is aimed at primary and secondary school colleagues who work to support disadvantaged children and young people, including Pupil Premium coordinators, pastoral and safeguarding leads, SENCOs, teaching and support staff, middle leaders, and leaders of teaching and learning.

Our opening keynote this year will be led by long-time SecEd and Headteacher Update contributor and former school leader Matt Bromley who will describe his ABC for tackling the consequences of disadvantage.

  • A is for Attendance: Practical ideas to reduce Pupil Premium absence
  • B is for Behaviours: Identifying crucial behaviours for learning
  • C is for Community: Engaging effectively with disadvantaged families

And our afternoon keynote promises to be somewhat different as we will meet headteacher Kurt Doyle who was himself a free school meals child and who grew up with violence and domestic violence in their lives.

Kurt will discuss his lived experiences and the lessons this has taught him about delivering the Pupil Premium and understanding the lived experiences of our disadvantaged pupils.

The event also features 12 practical and advice-packed workshops

  • The Pupil Premium, SEND and parents
  • Inspection of the Pupil Premium: Experiences and lessons learned from the frontline
  • Reading, oracy and vocabulary as part of Pupil Premium practice
  • Teaching strategies for closing the disadvantage gap
  • Closing attendance gaps and ensuring pupils are 'classroom ready'
  • Closing attendance gaps for disadvantaged SEND students
  • Inclusive approaches to extra-curricular and enrichment
  • Pastoral care strategies for meeting the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged learners
  • How well do you know your community? Place, poverty and the Pupil Premium
  • Cultural Capital with The Grove 100
  • Racial justice, inclusion and Pupil Premium
  • Practical ideas for encouraging reading for pleasure across the primary school

There will also be an event exhibition and networking time for delegates. Places at the event cost £369 with an early bird rate of £299 available if reservations are made by February 7.

For more details, visit www.pupilpremiumconference.com