Inspiring Leadership and Collaboration: A Look Back at Our Leadership INSET Day

Colleagues from across Exceed Learning Partnership recently came together for a powerful Leadership Development Day focused on reflection, professional growth and shared purpose.

Hosted at Hill Top Academy, the event brought staff together in a vibrant learning environment carefully prepared to encourage collaboration and professional dialogue. From tailored workshop spaces and clear event organisation to thoughtfully prepared resources and networking opportunities, the day was designed to ensure every colleague felt welcomed, supported and inspired.

The event opened with reflections from our CEO, Beryce Nixon OBE, who shared insights from her own leadership journey while introducing the thinking behind the Trust’s Leadership Framework and its formation. She explained that the framework grew from lived experience, reflection and professional challenge, including influential work alongside Lt Col David Love MBE and the Army Leadership Framework, shaping a view of leadership grounded in character, behaviour and responsibility rather than position or title.

Drawing on key moments from her journey, Beryce highlighted how the framework was shaped by real questions and a commitment to understanding how leadership is experienced by others, emphasising that leadership is ultimately about creating the conditions for growth, belonging and success.

This was followed by a truly powerful and thought-provoking keynote from Lindsy James of Active Fusion, which left a lasting impression on everyone in the room. Lindsy spoke with authenticity, honesty and real passion, drawing on her own lived experiences to bring her message to life. There was a genuine sense of connection throughout the audience — the kind of moment where the room falls silent, not out of obligation, but because every word resonates.

Lindsy's reflections challenged colleagues to think deeply about shaping culture, influencing outcomes and creating meaningful opportunities for young people. She reminded us that leadership is not just about position, but about the choices we make every day - choosing the right path, even when it’s the hardest one to take. The message that grit and determination can outwork talent was particularly powerful, sparking both reflection and motivation amongst all in attendance. 

A series of workshops throughout the day provided valuable opportunities for leaders to engage in rich professional dialogue, explore practical approaches and learn from one another’s expertise. We would like to thank all of our facilitators, both external and internal, for delivering sessions that were not only engaging and insightful, but truly impactful.

The feedback from colleagues powerfully captured the impact of the day. There was a clear shift in how colleagues viewed their own leadership identity. The Trust’s vision that everyone is a leader was evident, with reflections such as, “I now see that leadership isn't a title; it’s a set of behaviours I can use every day,” and “Even though I am not a senior leader, I still have leadership qualities and skills that help to lead others.”

Perhaps most encouragingly, the immediate, practical value of the day was clear. One colleague described it as the “best CPD I have had in years” while others shared how they were leaving with a tangible “toolkit” of strategies they could implement straight away. A day that not only inspired reflection, but will undoubtedly shape practice across our academies moving forward.

The day concluded with a motivating keynote from Kurt Lindley of Be More Learning, whose powerful message brought together the themes of the day and challenged colleagues to reflect on their leadership influence, purpose and next steps. His closing reflections encouraged everyone to leave not only inspired, but equipped with practical ideas and renewed determination to drive positive change. 

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Wayne Sables and his team for so brilliantly capturing the spirit of the day. Their professionalism, creativity and attention to detail ensured that the events were documented beautifully, allowing us to celebrate and share the experience with colleagues across the Trust and beyond.

Thank you to all colleagues and partners who made the Leadership Development Day such a meaningful and successful experience.

You can view our highlights video here.