Newham Education Partnership Conference

The conference was officially opened at One Pool Street by Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE and celebrated the strong and diverse range of education collaboration in Newham. Following the welcome, the conference hosted a keynote talk from Margaret Mulholland, SEN & Inclusion Policy Specialist for the borough. Margaret updated the audience on Newham’s SEND & Inclusion Strategy for 2023-28. 

Newham's vision for education took centre stage through a diverse panel, including pupils, teachers, and school leaders. The panel highlighted the pivotal role that schools play in shaping the lives of children and families, acknowledging the commitment to inclusion and support for learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Additionally there was an emphasis on celebrating inclusive practices, diversity and multilingualism as particular strengths that define Newham and its commitment to supporting residents. 

A pivotal moment in the conference spotlighted Newham's achievements in education. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis, and external stressors affecting communities, Newham's school results have surpassed those of many local authorities. Particularly noteworthy was the announcement that students taking A-Levels in Newham in 2023 performed well above the national average, which was presented as a remarkable achievement that speaks volumes about the resilience and dedication of the local educational community in the face of adversity. 

Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England, took to the stage after lunch, delivering a powerful keynote that resonated with the audience. Her address emphasized the importance of a child-centric approach in shaping the future of education. 

Prof. Paola Lettieri FREng, Pro-Provost UCL East, closed the conference and acknowledged the importance of our new campus's commitment to delivering high quality and inclusive education for east Londoners through the UCL East London Scholarship initiative. UCL has committed £5m over the next 5 years to see more east Londoners accessing courses at UCL East and assisting in overcoming barriers to higher education. In addition the campus has a designated team that is supporting outreach with local schools and developing opportunities for teachers to take part in CPD around future careers in STEM and many other sectors. 

• Photo: Children's Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza presents to delegates at the Newham Education Partnership Conference

Find out more about the work of the UCL East Schools Engagement Team