ARC - Chair Update - June 2026

ARC Chair Comments June 26

‘The most important thing for us in life is our relationships.’ A statement made in parliament earlier this month – more of that later, but something ARC has long advocated for.

It was very interesting to view the BBC documentary (here) fronted by Sir Gareth Southgate examining the struggles faced by many young men and looking at possible solutions. Furthermore, in an interview (here) Sir Gareth said that addressing this issue might require a slightly different approach to educating young men, and he warned of the weight of historic expectations on them in a fast-changing world in which many jobs have disappeared. In this fast changing world, these reflections extend to beyond young men, to all of our most vulnerable children and young people. We cannot be satisfied by the number disengaged and disillusioned young people we currently have, and at the heart of these solutions lies relationships.

ARC welcomes the drive to reform children’s social care outlined by Josh McAlistar MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Of Education). The focus on the care system is crucial, but needs to also be considered more widely. In ‘building lifelong loving relationships’ in order that ‘every young person would leave care with someone who loves them’, applies to us all and the need to ‘prioritise’ and create ‘lasting, enduring relationships’ aligns to the work and approaches across the ARC community. The climate and commitment to this been an expected essential is growing and embedding – long may it continue. As Chair, I am very fortunate to see many great examples of truly relational and inclusive work benefit students, staff and families, we must continue to showcase and celebrate these settings.

One the most enjoyable and rewarding elements of the work of ARC is to see the professional pride and pleasure of schools who are recognised in the regional ARC Timpson Awards. As Chair, I have the privilege of touring the country to present the regional winners with their trophies and certificates and to recognise other schools with commendations. The quality and quantity of nominated schools continues to grow and the ARC community welcomes ALL schools. Once the presentational tour has been completed by the end of the academic year we will issue all winners and commendation recipients.

It never ceases to amaze me as to see the depth and breadth of professional approaches, knowledge, skills and understandings shared at the range of conference and events I attend on behalf of ARC. At the Telford Virtual School three key notes - Lucy Kate Barnes, Nick Barwick, Paris Bartholomew – individually, but seamlessly helped delegates to reflect on their practices when supporting children in the care system. The North West Learning Forum, hosted by ARC in partnership with The Difference and supported by Pupil Pathways, brought together a focus on Relational Inclusion. The presenters, Paul Dix, Maxine O’Neill, Jamie Rogers, Irene Ogunseitan, Anthony Benedict, Brendan Nel, Keith Bardsley, and Catherine Hughes collectively created an interactive experience from strategy to operational to impact on the teaching and learning experience in the classroom.

The National Thank a Teacher Day on Wednesday the 17th June, encouraged us to recognise the work of teachers and support staff. ARC would like to formally thank all those dedicated staff that work within and on behalf of our schools.

There has been much media attention around screen time for our children and young people. ARC welcomes the DfE’s , call for evidence (New guidance on screen use for children aged 5–16  - GOV.UK)  on screen use by children aged 5 to 16 which will feed into guidance for parents due to be published in the autumn. It also seeks views about screen use in schools to help “build a complete picture of children’s digital lives and understand where technology can best support learning.”

The deadline for the call for evidence is Monday 29th June (Screen use by children aged 5-16: call for evidence - Department for Education - Citizen Space)

Finally, I am excited to see the launch of a new ARC podcast offer over the next few weeks (outlined below) – enjoy!

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