A speech by Ofsted's Chief Inspector at the Confederation of School Trusts’ conference.
Hello, and thank you for the invitation. I’m very happy to be here and talking to you all especially after hearing Steve’s inspiring talk just now.
This year’s conference theme of ‘belonging’ is very well chosen. It brings together some of the biggest challenges facing schools and offering pointers to some of them.
Because children belonging at school has never been more important. It’s not just about the education they missed during the pandemic, it’s the wider benefits of going to school. The long and slow process of socialisation. Understanding the expectations of society. And learning to adapt and thrive among their peers. All of these things need steady attendance and participation. And schools’ job has got a lot harder.
