Natalie Perera, Chief Executive of the Education Policy Institute delivered an in-depth session on one of the most pressing issues in education: the disadvantage gap.

Natalie co-founded EPI in 2015 and brings extensive experience from her decade-long career as a civil servant, where she led on key policies including early years, school funding, and the Pupil Premium. She also served in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office and currently sits on several education boards.

In this session, Natalie explored how the disadvantage gap has shifted before and after Covid-19, examines the root causes behind the gap, and shares evidence-based strategies for government and educators to help close it.

Joysy John MBE is an edtech expert who is currently working with Camden Learning on developing AI support for schools. Joysy has collected a set of case studies exploring how primary, secondary and special schools in Camden are experimenting with AI. In this Camden Conversation, Joysy will share insights from the case studies and her wider work with Camden schools, considering the key emerging lessons and possibilities. Joysy John MBE is an entrepreneur, EdTech advisor and innovation consultant, and is the former Chief Executive of 01 Founders, ex-Director of Education at Nesta and ex-CIO of Ada, the National College for Digital Skills. She was on the Department of Education’s Edtech Leadership Group and Welsh Government’s Schooling Reimagined expert-panel, helping to shape education technology policy and promote innovation in the sector.

As part of London’s Inclusion Charter, Rights Respecting Schools Awards will be free to all state-funded education settings in London until March 2028. This offer applies to new schools registering as well as those schools who are already working towards the Awards.

Our Camden Conversation on 6 March highlighted the work that is already taking place in Camden schools including the impact of embedding rights respecting principles on pupil behaviour, wellbeing and a reduction in prejudice and discriminatory attitudes. Alix Robertson from the Centre for Education and Youth, shared the key findings from the report reviewing the involvement of some Camden schools (Kentish Town CofE Primary School, Christ Church Primary School NW3, Torriano Primary School and Brecknock Primary School). Katy Forsdyke, Headteacher at Christ Church NW3 and James Humphries, Headteacher at Kentish Town CofE Primary School shared how they have embedded the rights respecting principles in their schools through some inspiring examples.

Kate Frood gave an animated introduction to her new book at the Camden Conversation on 7 February. Kate shared ways to make pupils enthusiastic mathematicians and embed mathematical fluency.

Kate’s book,‘The A-Z of Primary Maths’ is a reflection on best practice in primary mathematics. 

The A-Z of Primary Maths is published by John Catt as part of their A to Z series edited by Sir Roy Blatchford.,

During this session we heard about the exciting ways that Camden schools are engaging with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). CfEY were commissioned by Camden Learning to produce a reviewing the involvement of three primary schools (Torriano, Brecknock and Christopher Hatton) and two secondary schools (UCL Academy and Parliament Hill). Staff explained how they have embedded the goals across the curriculum to improve oracy, develop leadership skills and enhance their local environment. The report contains lots of easy ways for schools to get involved.