: FREE PD EVENT – Essex Research School: Leadership and Disadvantage Leadership and Disadvantage: Keeping the Focus Where It Matters

Leadership and Disadvantage: Keeping the Focus Where It Matters Improving outcomes for disadvantaged pupils is a priority for most schools. The challenge for leaders is ensuring it remains central to strategy rather than becoming one of many competing initiatives. In this webinar, Don Wry, CEO of Hearts Academy Trust, will explore how trust and school leaders can keep disadvantage at the heart of their work. Drawing on the approach taken across Hearts Academy Trust, Don will share how culture, strategic planning and leadership structures can support sustained improvement for disadvantaged pupils. The session will explore:

• How leaders can ensure disadvantage remains a core strategic priority
• The role of culture, belonging and pupil identity in improving outcomes
• How to avoid unintentionally lowering expectations
• Approaches to evaluating whether strategies are actually making a difference

This session will be particularly valuable for senior leaders, pupil premium leads, and trust leaders interested in strengthening their strategic approach to disadvantage. 📅 1 June 2026 🕓 4:00pm to 5:00pm Join us to hear practical insights and reflections from trust leadership on keeping disadvantage firmly at the centre of school improvement.