The Camden Learning Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on 29 January at Regent High School. This was the first in-person AGM for five years, and provided an opportunity to review the organisation’s progress, discuss future plans, and hear from guest speaker, Sir Kevan Collins.
The event saw a great turnout from Camden Learning members, including headteachers and governors, who came together to review our progress, discuss future plans, and hear from our esteemed guest speaker, Sir Kevan Collins.
Dame Christine Gilbert, Chair of Camden Learning, kicked off the meeting with a warm welcome and an introduction to the Board.
Annual Review 2023-24
Camden Learning’s CEO Stephen Hall delivered an insightful review of the past academic year, highlighting the significant achievements and progress made. His presentation detailed the efforts to enhance educational standards and support member schools, showcasing the dedication and hard work of the entire Camden Learning community.
Read the 2023-24 Annual Review
Keynote Presentation by Sir Kevan Collins
The keynote presentation was delivered by Sir Kevan Collins, a non-executive board member at the Department for Education. Sir Kevan provides scrutiny and advice on the Government’s delivery of high and rising standards in schools.
In his address, Sir Kevan reflected on the challenges facing the Government in driving further educational improvement. He noted the perception that all schools were performing well, despite disparities and issues in areas such as inclusion.
On the topic of educational equity, Sir Kevan emphasised the need to narrow the gap for children facing economic disadvantage and ensure equal opportunities for all. He highlighted the challenge of addressing the high numbers of young people who do not achieve a Level 2 qualification in English and Maths.
Sir Kevan also discussed the rising Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) expenditure. The Government aims to educate a greater proportion of students in mainstream schools rather than the independent sector to manage this. The interaction between rising needs and reduced overall funding was a key point of discussion, along with the advantages of the H3 Federation model, which integrates mainstream secondaries, pupil referral units, and special schools.
Collaboration between schools to share best practices was identified as crucial for improvement. Sir Kevan also touched on the ongoing curriculum review, noting that post-16 education is a priority for the Government, with a particular emphasis on non-A Level provision as a key to economic growth. The need for a simplified primary curriculum focusing on key subjects while allowing space for other appropriate education was also highlighted.
This AGM was a testament to Camden Learning’s commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration, ensuring that all Camden students receive the best possible education.
