The moment for place-based working has arrived.
Are you ready?
A Programme of Support to Promote Collaboration and Drive Place-Based Working in Devon
The Schools White Paper published in February contains a lot. It will take months to fully work through its implications for SEND reform, workforce strategy and the future of academisation. But one signal is clear from the outset, and it matters for every trust leader reading this. Read more from Reach Foundation here.
For this programme to have meaningful impact it is essential that participation is rooted at the level of individual schools, rather than being represented solely at trust or executive level. Trust-wide strategic alignment is clearly important but the programme is deliberately designed to work through the lived context, relationships and leadership of individual school communities.
We are therefore asking that each participating school is represented by its substantive Headteacher (or equivalent); bookings are made at individual participant and school level, rather than collectively on behalf of multiple schools so we know who and which schools within communities are attending; attendance is prioritised across all three conferences and supporting activity.
This approach is important for three reasons. Firstly, the programme focuses on place-based leadership, which depends on the insight, agency and decision-making of those leading within specific communities; secondly, impact will come from application within individual schools, not from top-down dissemination- direct engagement of Headteachers ensures that learning translates into practice; and, thirdly, the programme is designed to build local networks between schools and partners, which requires consistent and committed participation from leaders who are embedded in those contexts.
We recognise the pressures on time and capacity. However, as was outlined at the Information Sessions on 3 June, this is a high-value opportunity to strengthen how we collectively respond to the needs of children and families across Devon.
We are excited about the work we can all do together to improve the lives and outcomes of all children across Devon schools, by supporting further the communities we serve.
Conference dates | Sandy Park, Exeter
- 17 September 2026
- 26 February 2027 – Note change of date
- 9 June 2027
If you have already registered for the programme, please complete the event booking form here to confirm your attendance at the conferences. Bookings are essential to help us finalise venue and catering arrangement’s
Target audience: For the first conference, we ask that school leaders prioritise their attendance, with one place available per school setting, plus an additional place for CEO’s or trust representatives for MATs and Executive Headteachers within Federations. There will be opportunities for other colleagues to become involved at future conferences
Onboarding Webinar (6 July 2026):
Information Webinar (3 June 2026):