The success of our schools is shaped by the energy, expertise, and generosity of our community and this year we come together for two amazing days of professional development focused on the theme "Building Connections with Confidence". 

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Working for the YCYW network is both exciting and demanding: schools are evolving quickly, expectations are rising, and the world our learners are entering is changing at pace. In that environment, connection isn't a "nice to have" it's a professional necessity. Strong relationships underpin strong learning cultures: between colleagues, between schools, and with the communities we serve. At the same time, confidence matters: confidence in our shared direction, confidence in our practice, and confidence to adapt thoughtfully rather than reactively.

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This year's theme is anchored in two strands: Community & Connection and Confidence & Context. The first strand focuses on strengthening belonging through agency and personalised learning - ensuring that connection is not just social, but purposeful and learner-centred. The second strand invites us to deepen our understanding of context: the "why" behind our decisions, the principles that guide us, and the shared language that helps good practice travel well across our network. Together, these strands support our aim of building greater coherence across YCYW, while empowering each school to translate shared priorities into local, sustainable improvement.

 

As educators and colleagues, our role is to make meaning, build trust, and design experiences that put learners at the centre. That takes curiosity, professional courage, and the willingness to learn with (and from) one another - even when calendars and inboxes are full. This event is a chance to step back, reconnect with purpose, and move forward with practical clarity. 

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We're pleased to welcome keynote speakers whose insights align closely with our theme, alongside a guest session with Jason Buckley connecting Philosophy for Children (P4C) to our Students at the Centre focus. You can also expect a rich range of colleague led workshops offering opportunities to engage with learning across roles and teams. 

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We encourage everyone to participate actively, exchange best practice, and build the connections that will outlast the event itself. Together, let's strengthen our network - and our confidence - to do what we do best: improve learning through thoughtful, connected practice.