Schools network launches innovative leadership conference

The Partnerships for Jewish Schools leadership conference welcomed attendees from London and Manchester. The first educational gathering of its kind brought together 34 participants from across the spectrum of Jewish primary and secondary schools.

The PaJeS Jewish Schools’ Leadership Conference also welcomed over 100 educators undertaking National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) as part of the PaJeS Jewish Schools’ Leadership Programme, in partnership with Ambition Institute. (Ambition deliver the NPQs, with PaJeS delivering a follow-on ‘Leading Jewishly’ programme which focuses on aspects of educational leadership within the context of the Jewish schools’ community).

The conference featured an array of interactive and informative sessions across areas including multiculturalism within Jewish early years’ settings, building a whole school Jewish ethos and leading inclusive teacher development in Jewish primary schools.

Additional sessions were run by Michelle Janes, Co-CEO of the Jewish Leadership Council and Executive Director of Lead and Debbie Lebrett, previous headteacher of Hasmonean Boys’ School and now CEO of Work Avenue.

Samantha Benson, PaJeS Director of Leadership Programmes told participants: “You are already Jewish school leaders at different stages of your journey, and some of you undoubtedly are the Jewish school headteachers of the future.

“Our aim is to support you as you embark on your leadership development, with a particular focus on aspects specific to Jewish schools…investing in and nurturing all of you is crucial to enabling our Jewish schools across the spectrum of the community to survive and thrive in years to come.”

One attendees said: “I feel privileged to be in a position in the Jewish education sector where such opportunities are available to me. Generations of professionals and pupils will benefit from these opportunities.”