The Sea View Trust Summer Conference 2025: A Celebration of Progress, People, and Purpose

On Tuesday, 8 July 2025, the Sea View Trust hosted its annual Summer Conference, bringing together Members, Trustees, the Central Team, Headteachers, Chairs of Governors, and invited guests for an afternoon of inspiration, collaboration, and reflection.

Held in a spirit of shared ambition and community, the event showcased the Trust’s ongoing commitment to excellence, inclusion, and innovation across all its schools and services.

Highlights from the Day

The conference featured a series of thought-provoking presentations from across the Trust, covering key strategic areas:

Looking Back: A Year of Empowerment

CEO Angela Holdsworth reflected on the Trust’s 2024–25 theme: the Year of Empowerment. Highlights included:

• Welcoming Applebee Wood School into the Trust family
• Participation in the RISE initiative
• Strengthening LA partnerships through the joint work on the LCC Banding Document
• Using AI to enhance data use and reduce workload
• Celebrating Ofsted successes across multiple schools

Specialisms Across the Trust

Louise Parrish, Deputy CEO and Specialist School Improvement Lead, shared how the Trust’s inclusive ethos is embedded in every setting—from special schools to mainstream primaries. The Trust’s commitment to belonging, expertise, partnership, and equity is evident in our expanding provision, innovative curriculum adaptations, and real-world initiatives.

Personal and Professional Development

Gill Hughes and Dan Simm presented the Trust’s evolving approach to staff and pupil development. From a refreshed CPD offer and inclusive leadership training to wellbeing champions and pupil voice audits, the Trust is building a culture where everyone can thrive. The development of a Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) strategy and a new Inclusion Audit Tool were also announced as key priorities for 2025–26.

Behaviour and Attitudes

Gill Hughes, on behalf of Hayley Gardiner, outlined the Trust’s strategic work on behaviour, including the development of a Behaviour Audit Tool and the expansion of Team Teach training. A new application for a Lancashire Team Teach Licence signals the Trust’s ambition to extend its impact regionally.

Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT)

Rachel Tapley, Senior Speech and Language Therapist, highlighted the importance of communication in learning and wellbeing. The Trust’s SaLT service empowers pupils through early assessment, personalised support, and the creation of communication-friendly environments. Moving case studies illustrated the life-changing impact of these interventions.

Use of AI in Education

James Findlay-Pidcock and Fiona Evans introduced the Trust’s AI strategy, including the launch of an AI Action Plan and Policy. With tools like TeachMate AI and Microsoft Co-Pilot now available to staff, early feedback shows significant reductions in workload and improvements in wellbeing. AI Champions will support implementation across all schools starting this September.

Apprenticeship Programme

Katrina Brockbank introduced the Trust’s new PGTA apprenticeship pathway, launching in September 2025. With three apprentices in the first cohort, the programme offers a paid, accessible route into teaching and reflects the Trust’s long-term strategy for recruitment, retention, and talent development.

Learner Voice: The Heart of the Trust

A standout moment was the presentation by the Trust Learner Voice group. Their confident and passionate contributions showcased the meaningful roles pupils play in shaping their schools and the wider Trust. From budgeting at supermarkets to leading playground games, their voices are being heard and valued.

Looking Ahead: The Year of Ambition

Attendees collaborated on ideas for the 2025–26 Trust Improvement Plan, with a shared excitement for the upcoming Year of Ambition. The focus will be on deepening inclusion, expanding opportunities, and continuing to raise standards across all settings.

Fond Farewells

The conference also marked the retirement and departure of several valued colleagues:

• Martyn Jones, Chair of the Trust since 2021, will step down in the Autumn Term. His leadership in governance and change management has left a lasting legacy.
• Andrew Hurley, retiring after a distinguished career in education, will return in a part-time role to continue supporting primary schools.
• Janice Heywood, Trust Business Lead, retires after nearly three decades of dedicated service, bringing warmth and expertise to every role she held.

We thank them all for their incredible contributions and wish them the very best in their next chapters.

The 2025 Summer Conference was a powerful reminder of what makes the Sea View Trust special: a shared vision, a commitment to inclusion, and a belief in the potential of every learner and leader. As we look to the future, the Trust stands united in its mission to deliver excellence with care, ambition, and integrity.

Summer Conference 2025