This year’s Conference brought the sector’s “inclusive” mission to life, showcasing the collective strength of our colleges and the transformative power of FE.
The College Leader Q&A Panel included Surrey County Council’s Director of Education and Lifelong Learning and set a bold tone — inclusion isn’t an initiative here, it’s our identity — and every part of the day reinforced that message, from early‑identification and transition insights to powerful reflections on trauma, belonging and participation.
With keynote speakers Fatima Whitbread MBE and Leah Boxell grounding the day in lived experience, the conference demonstrated what happens when leadership, expertise and purpose align. And with our own expert teachers delivering workshops on ACEs, youth justice, NEET re‑engagement, SEND transitions, young carers, Maths and English and AI for accessibility, staff saw the depth of practice that makes SurreyFE exceptional.
It was a confident, energising reminder that when we work together, we create the conditions for every learner to thrive.
100% of staff felt the conference achieved its aim of supporting inclusive learner groups with 96% of teachers feeling more confident in supporting learners because of the conference. Workshops on ‘building a stronger sense of belonging for vulnerable and disadvantaged learners’ and ‘creating a more inclusive classroom and workshop environment’ were particularly well received.
And are teachers interested in future SurreyFE cross-college collaboration opportunities? It’s a unanimous yes!
