Gloucestershire Association of Primary Headteachers (GAPH) Annual 2019 Conference & Exhibition

Gervase Phinn

Professor Gervase Phinn taught in a range of schools for fourteen years before becoming an education adviser, school inspector and visiting Professor of Education at the University of Teesside. He is a freelance lecturer, broadcaster, comedian, writer and a consultant for the Open University. Mixing his natural wit with his background in education, he shares poignant tales of his life as a school inspector whilst also entertaining audiences as a raconteur. In 2005, the highest academic award of Sheffield Hallam University, Doctor of the University (D.Univ.), was conferred upon him by the Chancellor, Professor Lord Robert Winston. In 2006, he became President of the School Library Association. Well-respected in the field of academia, he has published many articles, online excerpts and books, which have received high acclaim and won various industry awards. Alongside his own work, he has edited a wide range of poetry and short story collections. He writes academic literature, autobiographical novels and children’s books. Gervase also has a large media presence having appeared on a plethora of both television and radio shows, including: The Alan Titchmarsh Show; Good Morning Sunday with Aled Jones; Esther, Midweek; You and Yours; The BBC World Service; The Heaven and Earth Show and The Des O 'Connor Show, to name but a few.

Gill Kelly

There are few educational leaders with the breadth of experience that Gill Kelly has developed in her career leading a diverse – and ever-growing – list of schools in very special circumstances. Indeed, it is the challenge of complexity - embracing it, not fighting it - that is right at the heart of Gill’s approach to education. At the heart of Gill’s work you will find words like culture, optimism, determination and even love. It is through these values that Gill finds a way to help a school find the best in itself and move out of the precarious state in which it has ended up. Yes, Ofsted like what she does when she is working with schools to help turn them around, but that’s not the point. It’s about an approach that seeks to create a new sense of teamwork, one that brings out the best in all staff and children in a way that matches high expectations with care, compassion, understanding and patience. While her first book for the Independent Thinking Press, Where Will I Do My Pineapples?, was the honest account of the trials and tribulations of using a new school build to turn around the nature of teaching and learning, her next one, due in 2019, is a global examination of what it takes to be a school leader in the most extreme of circumstances. On top of her work in the UK in such a rich variety of settings, she also has a growing international reputation in the Middle East and Asia and is also in demand in education and business for her powerful coaching work. Gill has something to say about the human - and humane - side of leadership that school leaders want to hear, whatever and wherever the school they lead.

Ross McWilliam

Ross is a freelance speaker and author with over 30 years’ experience within education. He has worked in over 1,000 schools and engaged with over one million young children, adolescents and professional staff. His areas of focus are Wellbeing, Emotional Confidence & Resilience, Behaviour Management, Pupil Engagement, Mindsets, Staff Motivation and Change Management. Ross speaks nationally around the subject of mindsets and has spoken at NAHT Conference 2017, Northwest Heads Conference 2017, ISBL National Conference 2018, Wirral SBM 2019, LASBM 2019 and Ealing Borough Council Conference 2019. Ross writes for various educational journals including TES, Headteacher Update and Primary Times and has written four books on children’s mental health and performance. His latest book is out in August 2019. At today’s Conference, Ross will address delegates on the issue of staff wellbeing. Ross will identify stress flashpoints, offer a measurement tool to quantify current stress levels and provide short- and long-term strategies to improve wellbeing. However, Ross believes that a belief in self whilst being connected, are core to sustainable wellbeing. Ross will also talk about how being too resilient, may in fact, be a precursor for stress. Ross not only speaks from a position of authority, but has had his own wellbeing challenges which involved scarring, physical disability, and a series of panic attacks over recent years. This unique viewpoint helps him connect with his audiences and their wellbeing challenges.

Sir Tim Brighouse

Sir Tim Brighouse began his career by completing a degree in modern history at Oxford University, where he trained to be a teacher in 1961. He continued to teach at various levels for several years. His career in educational administration includes the position of Chief Education Officer in both Oxfordshire and Birmingham, where his work was quoted by Ofsted as "an example to all others of what can be done, even in the most demanding urban environment". During his tenure as Professor of Education at Keele University he founded the “Centre for Successful Schools”. He completed his full time career in education as Commissioner for London Schools in 2007. Sir Tim is a charismatic, inspirational speaker and typical comments about him from Education Ministers are "He exceeded expectations," & "He brought incredible energy."