Plymouth University & Spaghetti Bridge Inclusion Event

Welcome to the Plymouth University & Spaghetti Bridge Inclusion Event happening at the University of Plymouth! This event is all about celebrating diversity and creating bridges of inclusion in our community. Join us for a day filled with insightful discussions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. Come together with like-minded individuals to learn, share experiences, and build a more inclusive future. Let's bridge the gaps and make a difference together!

The Power of Us: Creating Inclusive Learning Communities is a conference designed to explore how we can foster inclusive communities and learning environments through a conversation with all members of our learning communities. This event provides a forum for diverse voices to share their experiences and insights into what "inclusion" means and how we can work together to make our schools and communities more inclusive.

The conference offers a blend of academic content and practical perspectives, featuring sessions that highlight the experiences of educators, families, and students who navigate inclusion and exclusion daily.

Key sessions include:

• Keynote presentation: Dr. Kulvarn Atwal, author and Executive Headteacher at Uphall and Highlands Primary Schools  and author of The Thinking School and The Thinking Teacher
• Panel Discussions: Families, educators, and students share their perspectives and ideas on inclusive education.
• Interactive Workshops: Hands-on sessions designed to develop innovative strategies and new perspectives for creating inclusive environments.
• Expert Presentations: Professionals, researchers, and innovators at the forefront of inclusive organizations will share cutting-edge insights and practices.
• Campus tour: participants will be invited to tour the University of Plymouth Campus and learn about the programmes that the University offers and how they support inclusion.
• Closing thoughts: Chris Lore, Head of Learning and Research at Spaghetti Bridge, will provide an overview of the insights gained over the course of the conference

The key findings and insights from the conference will be gathered and shared during the closing session, as well as in a post-conference publication to ensure the learning continues beyond the event.

• Date: 1st May
• Location: University of Plymouth
• Sponsors: This conference is made possible through the collaboration between the University of Plymouth and Spaghetti Bridge Schools Group.

We are looking forward to providing the space in which diverse voices from across our communities can explore and advance the ways in which our schools and communities can become more inclusive and provide all members with a sense of belonging and connection.

Topics include

• What is meant by the term “inclusion”?
• How can our schools and communities become more inclusive?
• What are the ways in which the voices of professionals, families, and children and young people are heard in discussions around inclusive education and practice?
• What are the benefits of more inclusive communities and how can these be shared?

About the presenters

The keynote speaker is Dr. Kulvarn Atwal.  Dr. Atwal has spent his entire career teaching and leading in East London schools, and is currently Principal Learning Leader of two large primary schools. He has been a Head Teacher of three different schools and his primary area of expertise is on leading staff learning and development.  One of his schools, Highlands Primary, has been awarded the Mayor of London's Schools for Success Award for five consecutive years – an award that is given to schools who demonstrate the greatest progress in learning for low prior attainers. His doctoral thesis investigated the factors that impact upon teacher engagement in professional learning in schools. His findings were published in 2019 in his first book, The Thinking School and he has recently released his second book, The Thinking Teacher.

Closing remarks will be presented by Chris Lore, Head of Learning and Research at Spaghetti Bridge.

Further presenters, panels, and workshops will be announced soon.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, United Kingdom